Tallulah – Two vehicles collided at a Tallulah-area intersection around noon July 28, causing nearly $10,000 in damages and blocking one lane of traffic for about a half hour.
A 2015 Nissan – driven by Martha Carpenter, 60, of Robbinsville – was stopped at Woodland Heights Road and then pulled onto Tallulah Road (U.S. Hwy. 129) into the path of a 2005 Chevrolet driven by 19-year-old Robbinsville resident Jeffrey Oswalt III, who was headed east on Tallulah Road at an estimated speed of 45 mph.
As she pulled into the intersection, Carpenter’s vehicle collided with Oswalt’s vehicle, according to the N.C. Highway Patrol.
Oswalt slowed to about 30 mph, but was unable to avoid impact.
Carpenter’s car came to rest on the highway shoulder, knocking down a nearby road sign in the process.
Oswalt’s vehicle came to a stop in the eastbound lane about 30 feet from the impact point.
Graham County fire, rescue and Emergency Medical Services units responded, as well as Graham County sheriff’s deputies and the N.C. Highway Patrol.
The eastbound lane was blocked and diverted through an adjacent parking lot.
Carpenter was taken to Swain Community Hospital in Bryson City. Charges were pending.
Damages were estimated at $5,000 to Carpenter’s car, $4,000 to Oswalt’s car, and $200 for the street sign that was knocked over.