Published: November 29, 2008 08:42 pm      

Accident injures passenger

PICAYUNE — A two-vehicle accident on Interstate 59 on Thanksgiving day left one woman critically injured.

Mississippi Highway Patrol Public Information Officer Johnny Poulos said the accident sent 65 year-old Winifred Allen of Poplarville to Forrest General Hospital in critical condition.

The accident took place at about 9:55 Thursday morning at the 35-mile marker of I-59. At that time, the 2001 Dodge truck Allen’s husband, Stephen Allen, 62, was driving experienced mechanical problems. As he was attempting to pull the truck over to the side of the road a 2000 Chevrolet pickup truck driven by 40 year-old David Garcia of Slidell, La. impacted the left rear portion of the Dodge, Poulos said.

The Dodge left the road on the left side of the road while the Chevy left the road on the right side of the road.

Winifred Allen was taken to Forrest General Hospital with injuries determined to be critical. Poulos said neither Garcia nor Stephen Allen suffered any injuries.

Poulos would not comment on whether drugs or alcohol were believed to be involved, or if any charges have been filed as a result of the accident. He said the accident was still under investigation.