NATCHEZ — A Natchez police car has been totaled after a collision at the three-way stop intersection of Orleans and South Union streets last week.

Officer Adrian Shorter was traveling eastbound on Orleans Street to an emergency call last Wednesday when the patrol car collided with a 2000 Chevrolet Blazer driven by John E. Williams, 514 S. Union St., Capt. Daniel White said Tuesday. The collision occurred at 8:09 a.m., and no serious injuries were reported.

“(Shorter) slowed down at the intersection and proceeded with the emergency lights turned on,” White said. “And (Williams) stopped at the intersection and proceeded through.”

White said the Blazer also received extensive damage, and the accident remains under investigation.

The intersection has been a topic of discussion among neighbors who live along Orleans Street. Though Bradley Harrison did not hear about the collision until this week, he said one of his neighbors was seriously injured in a wreck at the same location.

“People fly down this street,” Harrison said. “People aren’t used to the stop signs.”

Harrison said low-hanging branches along Orleans Street obscure the stop signs, causing motorists to either stop abruptly or run the stop sign completely.

“We probably need to cut the trees and put a sign across the street,” Harrison said. “The stop signs that sit off to the side of the road are hard to see.”

Another police car was totaled earlier this month during a routine traffic stop.

Officer Elvis Prater was traveling eastbound on Pilgrim Boulevard Jan. 6 when he pulled over Michael J. Washington for running stop sign.

While Prater addressed Washington outside, a pickup truck driven by Jeremy Wade Sutherland slammed into the back of the police car, which then slammed into Washington’s car.

White said insurance will pay for the value of the totaled cars, which are both parked in back lot of the Natchez Police Department.