LEWISTON – Two drivers have their seat belts and air bags to thank Saturday night after a head-on collision on East Avenue.

“Both had seat belts, and both air bags deployed,” said police Sgt. Danny Lachance. Both escaped with minor injuries, however.

“The safety equipment tends to make a big difference when this happens,” he said.

Carrie Garber, 21, of Wrightsville, Pa., was traveling north on East Avenue about 8:15 p.m. Saturday when her vehicle collided with a white 1995 Buick Skylark driven by George Chenard, 78, of Lewiston. Lachance said Chenard was southbound but attempting to turn into Berube’s Service Station at 147 East Ave. at the time.

Police, responding to another call, arrived just in time to see Garber’s Jeep flip. It rolled three times, crushing all four doors and pinning Garber in the vehicle. Lewiston firefighters had to cut her free.

Garber was taken by ambulance to St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center and treated for minor injuries. Chenard was able to walk away from the accident, but Lachance said he was reporting to the hospital as well.