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December 21, 2007

Update: 2 rollovers, 1 jackknifed 18-wheeler on Rte. 95

Journal photo / Bill Murphy
Rescue workers examine a vehicle that rolled over on Route 95 north in West Greenwich this afternoon. They had to cut off the roof of the car to get the driver out.

An early-morning accident on Route 95 North 2 miles south of Exit 6 in West Greenwich was the first of three seemingly serious accidents that, surprisingly, left no one seriously injured.

At 8 a.m., an 18-wheeler carrying furniture drove off the left side of the road, slamming into trees and flying down an embankment, according to Lt. Kevin Hopkins at the state police Hope Valley Barracks.

Police believe the driver fell asleep.

The truck’s fuel tank ruptured, Hopkins said, prompting West Greenwich fire and rescue to respond along with the state Department of Environmental Management and Clean Harbors to clean up the fuel. The driver was uninjured.

At 1 p.m., just south of Exit 5, another car drove off the road. The driver lost control, drove into the high-speed lane, hitting the median, rolling over several times.

Rescue workers had to cut off the roof of the car to get the driver and passenger out. The passenger was taken to Kent Hospital with non-life threatening injures; the passenger didn’t require medical attention.

“Just as we finished clearing that one,” Hopkins said, “a half mile south, another car lost control, hit the right Jersey barrier and rolled over.” Again, he said, no injuries.

Hopkins said the key is that they all had their seatbelts on. "If people don’t have their seatbelts on, they get ejected. And that’s when they get hurt.”

-- projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson

Posted by Brandie Jefferson  at 4:14 PM | Permalink

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Mrs. P | December 21, 2007 5:59 PM link

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