Vehicles collide at Hwy. 65 and Mariposa Avenue

LINDSAY — An accident in the center lane of Highway 65 and West Mariposa Street had southbound traffic backed up to Spruce Avenue Wednesday morning.

According to Lindsay Public Safety Department Lt. Brian Clower, the call for an injury traffic accident arrived shortly before 9 a.m. Wednesday.

Upon arrival, a black Ford Explorer was found overturned in the middle of the road with a female driver still inside.

“Once we entered the vehicle, we were able to get her out without incident. She did not appear to be injured, however family transported her to Sierra View District Hospital to get her checked out,” Clower said.

As CHP, Tulare County Fire Department, Lindsay Police, ambulances and other volunteers arrived, the black sedan Explorer laid on its passenger side, facing south with its windshield wipers swooshing, exposed deflated air bags, the vehicle alarm still sounding and a scattering of bottled waters and other belongings to the side.

“She was just going to Save Mart to buy a couple of things,” said friend Diometila Gonzalez, who said she was visiting. “I’m so scared for her. I hope she’s OK.”

Gonzalez said she ran to the accident site, down the street from the home, after hearing there was an accident at the corner and was relieved to see her friend out of the vehicle.

The other vehicle, a white Geo Prism, was on the east shoulder of the road with major front end damage, Clower said.

“The driver was transported by Imperial Ambulance to Kaweah Delta District Hospital and is listed in stable condition,” Clower said. “It looks like the Explorer was northbound and turning left onto Mariposa when it was rear-ended by the Geo Prism,” Clower said.

The hit spun the Ford 180 degrees before it landed on its passenger side, facing south.

Contact Esther Avila at 784-5000, Ext. 1045. Follow her on Twitter @Avila_recorder.