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Oxford Hills

Paris accident injures one

Published on Saturday, Nov 28, 2009 at 12:12 am | Last updated on Friday, Nov 27, 2009 at 11:11 pm 4 Comments

PARIS — A two-vehicle collision on Friday shut down Route 26 for the third time in a week and sent one driver to the hospital.

Melody Bonnema, 63, of Bethel fell asleep while driving her 2009 Honda Fit south along Route 26, officer Bill Grover of the Paris Police Department said. The car drifted into the northbound lane, where it sideswiped a 2008 Subaru Outback driven by Cindy Torrey, 31, of Bethel.

"It's very lucky it wasn't more head-on," Grover said.

The crash destroyed both vehicles, which came to a rest off the northbound side of the road. The accident occurred at about 1:15 p.m. outside KBS Inc.

Torrey was taken to Stephens Memorial Hospital by PACE Ambulance after complaining of head, rib and wrist pain. Grover said she was in good condition with minor injuries. Bonnema was unhurt and picked up by her husband, who was driving behind her at the time of the accident.

The road was shut down for about half an hour as traffic was rerouted over Phillips Road and Paris Hill Road. The Paris Fire Department and the Oxford County Sheriff's Office assisted at the scene.

There have been two other serious accidents in the past week on Route 26. On Monday, 60-year-old Richard Ray of Naples was killed in a three-vehicle accident that was also attributed to fatigue in another driver. Four people were injured Wednesday in a two-car collision in Oxford.

mlangeveld@sunjournal.com

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Displaying comments, from newest to oldest

Chippy's picture

Route 26 is turning into a

Route 26 is turning into a Route 4.

grad2003me's picture

I am extremely annoyed with

I am extremely annoyed with drivers who continue to drive even though they are exhausted. You aren't just putting your life in danger your putting every other driver on the road in danger. Having a drivers license is a responsibility, not a right, so take some responsibility and learn when you should and shouldn't be driving.

crystal1982's picture

What is wrong with people?

What is wrong with people? Seriously how do you fall asleep while driving. If you're tired get the heck off the road. This really irritates me. There's just no need for it.

candiceanne's picture

That makes three. We should

That makes three. We should get a break on 26 for a while.

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