WILLIAMSON, W.Va. -- A Williamson Police Department cruiser was struck by a truck in a near head-on collision early Tuesday morning, totaling it.
Williamson Chief of Police C.D. Rockel told the Daily News that Patrolman Jarrod Marcum was pursuing a speeding driver through West End, going up the hill towards the entrance to U.S. 119, when Melissa Taylor, of Lovely, Ky., exited from the highway and entered into the curve, smashing into the police cruiser.
"The driver apparently didn't see Marcum's blue lights flashing," Rockel said. "She drove into his path, hitting him nearly head-on."
Both airbags in the cruiser deployed, as did the ones in the truck driven by Taylor. Neither driver was severely injured from the accident. Marcum and Taylor were sent to Williamson Memorial Hospital where they were treated and released.
Rockel said that they only sustained bumps and bruises.
He also said that Taylor was cited for driving on a suspended license, which she had lost to a previous DUI, no insurance on her vehicle and improper registration. However, charges may arise pending blood reports.
Cpl. Chris Endicott and Sgt. Arthur Ferra, with the Mingo County Sheriff's Department, are investigating the accident.
While the cruiser was totaled, it was not one of the newer vehicles the WPD received earlier in the year.
Rockel praised the response of the Williamson Fire Department at the accident scene, saying they did very well at handling traffic at a busy section of the city.
But he was also very grateful at the fact that one of his newest officers, Marcum, who only recently graduated from the academy, was not seriously injured.
"It could have been worse," Rockel said. "I won't say he was lucky, I'd say he was blessed. He was blessed that he didn't get hurt."
Marcum is off for the next two days and will be sharing a cruiser until a replacement can be found.
Copyright 2011 - Williamson Daily News, W.Va.
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
