Emporia Police say two people were injured following a three-vehicle pileup Thursday afternoon at 18th and Industrial Road.
Officers and emergency personnel were dispatched shortly after 12 p.m. to the location right in front of Taco Bell. The crash involved two passenger cars and a pickup, which slowed traffic. According to Sgt. Lisa Sage 21-year-old Rachel Appling, of Emporia, was northbound in her Pontiac passenger car. As she attempted a left turn to go west onto 18th Ave, her vehicle collided with a southbound Buick driven by 56-year-old David Barrett, also of Emporia. After the initial collision, both vehicles crashed into a pickup that was stopped at the red light along 18th Ave. The pickup was driven by 18-year-old Hailey Horn of Emporia.
Appling complained of right arm pain so an ambulance was called to the scene. She was transported to Newman Regional Health and also had a cut to her forehead. Horn was taken by private vehicle to Newman Regional Health with a possible leg injury.
The reporting officer indicated that Appling will be cited for failure to yield. All vehicles occupants were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash. No other apparent injuries were reported.
Separately, the Emporia Police Department reminds drivers to always yield to emergency vehicles and personnel. While EPD officers were on scene, a passerby drove around, and then in front of a police vehicle being used as a barricade to protect those on the scene. The lights were activated on the police car at the time and officers were directing traffic. That driver was cited for driving around a police barricade and for a passenger not wearing a seatbelt.
Photo courtesy Justin Miser for KVOE News.
