Van clips, flips SUV injuring 3

Photo By Rick Harris Three people were transported to a local hospital Wednesday evening after a van struck this SUV on state Highway 91 near King Springs Road.

By Thomas Wilson
STAR STAFF
twilson@starhq.com
A two-vehicle accident near the intersection of Highway 91 and King Springs Road in the Central Community sent three people to a local hospital on Wednesday evening.
According to the preliminary report by the Carter County Sheriff's Department, a Ford van driven by Cleon Stewart, 56, 140 Pritchard Drive, Jonesborough, was attempting to turn left onto King Springs Road from the southbound lanes of Highway 91 when his vehicle turned into the path of a Ford Explorer driven by Jennifer Foss, 24, 103 Von Cannon Drive, Johnson City, who was traveling northbound on Highway 91.
The Foss vehicle flipped on its top in the middle of the highway and a portion of the vehicle caught on fire, according to CCSD Lt. Rocky Croy. Stewart said he had not seen the Foss vehicle because his vision was impaired by sunlight, Croy said.
Motorist Bill White of Johnson City said he was waiting to pull onto Highway 91 from King Springs road when he witnessed the accident.
"The Explorer barely missed me by a couple of feet," he said. After the Explorer came to a stop, White said a small portion of the vehicle's exhaust began to smoke while Foss was still trapped inside.
"I beat it out with my coat," said White, who's gray sweat suit jacket was stained with blackened burn marks.
Central Volunteer Fire Department personnel doused the Explorer's gas tank with water while Foss was extricated from her vehicle. Foss was transported to the Johnson City Medical Center by the Carter County Rescue Squad. Stewart and his wife Geraldine, 47, who was a passenger in the van were also transported to JCMC, police said. The conditions of the three victims were not immediately known Wednesday night.
The accident occurred at approximately 6:15 p.m. Wednesday as parishioners at Sinking Creek Baptist Church were arriving for Wednesday night's service. An investigation into the accident is ongoing and charges are pending at this time.