Rachel Dove-Baldwin | Daily News Emergency services personnel and members of the Williamson Fire Department are pictured extracting Bonnie Harmon, of Pilgrim, Ky., from her new 2012 Chrylser 200 that had just been purchased from the Moore Auto Group. Harmon is said to have pulled onto U.S. 119 from the West Williamson exit, directly into the path of this 2004 Jeep Liberty, operated by Chad Roberts of Turkey Creek, Ky. A total of three individuals were transported to area hospitals from the accident scene.

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Rachel Dove-Baldwin

Staff Writer

WEST WILLIAMSON — Law enforcement and emergency medical technicians were dispatched to the scene of two separate-unrelated accidents that occurred within approximately one mile of each other Wednesday afternoon in the West Williamson-Fairview neighborhoods.

Williamson Patrolman D. Paige first responded to a two-vehicle accident at the intersection of the West Williamson/U.S. 119 exit that involved a new 2012 Chrysler 200 that had just been purchased from the Moore Auto Group, and a 2004 Jeep Liberty. The driver of the Chrysler, Bonnie Harmon, of Pilgrim, Ky., allegedly pulled onto U.S. 119, directly into the path of the oncoming Jeep that was traveling south toward Williamson.

Chad Roberts of Turkey Creek, Ky., was operating the Jeep that was owned by passenger, Eric Harlow. Roberts and a third passenger in the Jeep, Herb Gilbert, along with Harmon, were all transported by STAT Ambulance to area hospitals.

The Williamson Fire Department had to extract Harmon from her vehicle using the Jaws of Life. All three who received medical treatment complained of head, neck and back injuries. Airbags deployed in both vehicles and the occupants were said to have been wearing their seatbelts. Terry Harmon, the spouse of the injured driver, was a passenger in the Chrylser but was not hurt in the collision that according to law enforcement totaled both vehicles.

“There are a lot of accidents that occur in this location,” said Williamson Police Chief C.D. Rockel, after arriving on the scene. “Speed has played a role in a lot of them, as well as not looking before pulling onto the four-lane.

“The speed limit for that portion of U.S. 119 is 45 mph, and we encourage everyone to obey the law. If not, you will be ticketed.”

The second accident that occurred approximately 30 minutes later involved a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt operated by Phillip Moore of Williamson, and a Rogers Petroleum tanker-truck, whose business is located in Pikeville, Ky.

Patrolman Paige also conducted this accident investigation and said that according to the recollection of Moore and Randal Compton, driver of the tanker, Moore was attempting to exit from Persinger Drive onto U.S. 52 when he allegedly pulled into the path of the oncoming truck, striking its driver’s side rear wheels. Minimal damage was reported to the tanker, but the front portion of the Cobalt suffered substantial damage.

The WFD responded to the accidents with eight firefighters, twoo engines, one truck and Medic-One Ambulance.