Two injured in vehicle collision
Published 12:05 am Friday, July 10, 2015
NATCHEZ — Two Louisiana residents were injured Thursday in a car collision at the intersection of Highland Boulevard and U.S. 61.
The collision occurred at approximately 3 p.m.
Doretha Fitzgerald, 56, of New Orleans, was attempting to turn left off U.S. 61 South onto Highland Boulevard when she collided with an 18-wheeler truck traveling U.S. 61 North.
Natchez Police Department Detective Jerry Ford said 53-year-old Lionel Melancon of Sorrento, La., the driver of the 18-wheeler, had a green light when he collided with Fitzgerald’s 2010 Dodge Charger.
“I’m thinking she thought she could beat the truck across the intersection, and she just misjudged her timing,” Ford said.
The right side of Fitzgerald’s car was heavily damaged, along with the front of Melancon’s truck.
Metro Miss-Lou Ambulance Service responded to the scene, sending Melancon and Fitzgerald to Merit Health Natchez — Community Campus.
Ford said Fitzgerald suffered shoulder injuries, and Melancon complained of a neck injury.
After the accident, a steady stream of oil and gas leaked from Melancon’s truck, prompting the Natchez Fire Department to respond.
Ford said the leak was resolved soon after the wreck.
At 7 p.m. Thursday, Ford said he didn’t know the medical condition of Fitzgerald or Melancon.
No citations were issued.