A 73-year-old Salem woman went on a wild ride late Wednesday afternoon after missing the lane reduction at the start of the southbound construction zone on I-57 north of Salem.
Preliminary information from State Police indicates Nancy Satterthwaite struck several barricade barrels closing off the driver’s lane at the start of the construction zone. She then reportedly sideswiped another vehicle in the passing lane driven by 31-year-old Christopher Scruggs of Memphis, Tennessee before crossing the median and northbound lanes and going up the concrete leading up to the bridge carrying the Martin Road over I-57. After impact, her car then rolled back to the bottom of the concrete embankment and came to rest against the metal guardrail.
Kinmundy-Alma Firemen say Satterthwaite was sitting outside the car on their arrival and declined hospital treatment. Scruggs was taken to Salem Township Hospital for treatment of injuries. State Police say a passenger in the Scruggs’ vehicle, 30-year-old Dereka Lawrence of Memphis, Tennessee, was not hurt.
Both drivers were ticketed. Satterthwaite for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident and improper lane usage. Scruggs was ticketed for driving while license suspended.
The crash occurred at 5:17 Wednesday night. The Interstate did not have to be shut down.
