FARMINGTON – Northbound traffic on Route 4 came to a near-standstill early Monday afternoon after a three-vehicle collision blocked both lanes in front of Silver Shears.

Several people were taken to the hospital for treatment and evaluation, according to Farmington police officer Brian Ross.

At about noon, Mona and Thomas Linder, both 79, of Wilton were in the left lane in their 1999 Buick waiting for the vehicle ahead of them to make a left turn when their car was struck from behind by a vehicle driven by Robert Jones, 68, of Farmington. The Linders’ vehicle was propelled forward, rear-ending the Jeep Cherokee in front of them driven by Jessica Fitch, 29, of Phillips.

Jones, whose 50th wedding anniversary was Monday, told Ross he was driving at about 35 to 40 mph when he rear-ended the Linders. He said he hadn’t noticed the stopped vehicles and was unable to avoid hitting them. Ross estimated damage to Jones’ Corsica was $5,000. Jones was taken by ambulance to Franklin Memorial Hospital, where he was treated for lacerations and back pain and released.

Fitch and her passenger, Joan Witham, 55, of Phillips, were also taken by ambulance to Franklin Memorial, where they were still being evaluated late Monday afternoon. Fitch complained of neck, head and pelvic pain; Witham of back pain. The Cherokee in which they were traveling sustained an estimated $1,000 damage to the rear end.

Ross took the Linders to the hospital, where they were still waiting for evaluation Monday afternoon. Mona Linder had knee pain while her husband may have received whiplash. Their Buick sustained about $8,000 in damage to the front and rear, according to Ross.

Drivers heading north drove past the accident used the paved area beside the new Splash and Dash Car Wash, which somewhat alleviated the jam, while southbound traffic was not initially affected.

No airbags were deployed in the incident, and Ross was not sure if any of the vehicles were equipped with them. No citations were issued, he said.