By Rich Flowers
— A 40-year-old Murchison woman was in serious critical condition at East Texas Medical Center Tyler Monday following a two vehicle collision on Loop 7 early Sunday.
Cooper Funeral Home owner Kenneth Dwayne “Pete” Cooper, 47, and a 50-year-old Florida man were also hospitalized in the wreck.
According to ETMC officials, Murchison resident Cristy Adams remained in the Intensive Care Unit Monday afternoon. A passenger in her vehicle, Franklin Pinkerton, was in the ICU at ETMC Athens.
Hospital officials said Cooper’s family has requested that no information be released concerning his injuries. He had been reported in fair condition in the intensive care unit at East Texas Medical Center in Tyler late Sunday.
Department of Public Safety Trooper Jason Rolison said Adams was traveling west on Loop 7 in the vicinity of ETMC in a 1996 Plymouth Voyager. As Adams neared the intersection with State Highway 19, Cooper approached from the east in a 2002 Chevrolet Suburban. Cooper reportedly entered the westbound lane on a path toward Adam’s vehicle.
Adams saw Cooper approaching and applied her brakes to avoid a collision. She also took evasive action to the right but was unable to get out of the path of Cooper’s Suburban. The Suburban’s right front struck the right front of Adams’ vehicle. The force of the impact caused both vehicles to spin counter-clockwise.
Cooper’s vehicle came to rest in the roadway facing north while Adams’ Voyager stopped on top of a guardrail facing south.
The time of the wreck is listed as 1:40 a.m., according to police reports.
EMS and Athens Fire Department rescue personnel were dispatched to the scene and Athens Police Department officers were sent to direct traffic.
The Hazardous Materials Unit from AFD was also dispatched and remained for about an hour and a half assisting with clean-up. The wreckage was cleared and the road re-opened shortly after 4 a.m.
Adams was transported by air to East Texas Medical Center Tyler. Cooper and Pinkerton were taken to the hospital by ambulance.
Rolison said the wreck is under investigation with the cause of the collision yet to be determined. No charges have been filed in connection with the wreck and no traffic citations have yet been issued.
