July 19, 2022–10:52 p.m.
STAFF REPORTS
A fiery crash near Cave Spring Tuesday afternoon could have been a lot worse if not for the quick response of police officers.
According to Floyd County Police, a Dodge Caravan driven by 56-year-old Preston Evans Jr. of Collinsville, Alabama was traveling south toward Cave Spring on Highway 411 near Bagwell Road.
He told police the sun got in his eyes and he crossed the center line, striking a northbound tractor-trailer that was heading to F&P.
Both vehicles left the roadway.
The fuel tank on the tractor-trailer detached and caught fire.
A tire on the tractor-trailer also caught fire due to the overheated brakes.
Floyd County Police officers were nearby and quickly responded to the scene.
They emptied three fire extinguishers to suppress the fire.
The driver of the tractor-trailer, identified as 60-year-old Rhonda Putman of Wellington, Alabama, was transported to the Atrium Health Floyd with complaints of injury.
Evans refused transport to the hospital and was cited for failure to maintain a lane.