June 11, 2001

PRESS RELEASE

To: Newsroom

For Immediate Release

Contact: Brian A. Crawford, Public Information Officer

Phone: 673-6652, cell: 455-2609, page: 675-2137

Morning Accident Overturns Vehicle - Sends Two to Hospital

An early morning accident at the intersection of Stoner Avenue and Gilbert Drive overturned a plumbing van and sent two people to local hospitals. The accident occurred shortly after 8:00 a.m. this morning when a Standard Plumbing Company van being driven by Rickey Willhite, 40, allegedly ran a red light. As the van, heading east on Stoner crossed the middle of the intersection it was struck by a late model Chrysler Convertible, being driven by 53 year old Cynthia Flynn of Shreveport. Flynn stated that she was traveling north on Gilbert and had the green light when the accident occurred.

The impact of the collision sent the van sliding onto its passenger side and left the Chrysler spinning in the middle of the intersection, finally coming to rest facing south. Police said that Willhite freed himself following the accident by kicked the windshield window out of the front of the van. He was treated at the scene for minor injuries by fire department paramedics and transported to Willis Knighton Medical Center. Flynn, who also sustained minor injuries, was treated and transported to Christus Schumpert Medical Center. The obvious high impact, high velocity accident left the front end her Chrysler totally destroyed. Firefighters attribute the fact that Flynn did not sustain serious injuries to her seatbelt use and the fact her air bag deployed.

Shreveport police said that Willhite will be issued ticket(s) stemming from the accident. ###