Fatal single-vehicle crash occurs in Franklin
Published 5:36 pm Thursday, August 3, 2023
Pictured is the scene at the intersection of Stewart Drive and College Drive in Franklin on Thursday afternoon, Aug. 3, after an SUV crashed into the far pole. First responders attend to the occupant(s) of the vehicle. Traffic lights that broke off a moment after the crash lie in the middle of the road, and lights on the cross bar to the right have been knocked out of position. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
(Photo by Titus Mohler)
(Photo by Titus Mohler)
Wires dangle from the cross bar that extends over College Drive at the intersection of Stewart Drive and College Drive after a single-vehicle crash caused the traffic lights at the end of the bar to break off and land in the middle of the road below. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
(Photo by Titus Mohler)
(Photo by Titus Mohler)
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A fatal single-vehicle crash took place at the North College Drive/Stewart Drive intersection in Franklin on Thursday afternoon, Aug. 3.
A Franklin Police Department news release stated that at approximately 1:40 p.m., the City of Franklin Police Department Emergency Communications Center received a call of a single-vehicle crash into a traffic light pole at the intersection of North College Drive and Stewart Drive.
Upon arrival of Franklin Fire and Rescue and Franklin Police, they discovered a single vehicle at rest against the traffic light pole, the release noted. Police said the driver and sole occupant was transported by Franklin Fire and Rescue to Bon Secours – Southampton Medical Center where she succumbed to her injuries.
The release stated that after notification to next of kin, the driver has been identified as Barbara Wade, of Franklin.
From an eyewitness account, a Ford Edge SEL sport utility vehicle crashed into the pole supporting traffic lights that service vehicles approaching the intersection from Stewart Drive and vehicles headed toward Hunterdale on College Drive.
After the SUV struck the pole, the traffic light fixture that includes the left-turn light broke off and crashed to the ground in the middle of College Drive.
Concerned citizens who were near the intersection exited their vehicles and approached the Ford Edge to see what they could do to help its occupant. One of them made a call.
These citizens were unable to open the doors of the Ford Edge, but one woman used a tool to break out the driver- and passenger-side windows.
The FPD responded to the scene and was later joined by Franklin Fire and Rescue and the Virginia State Police.
The FPD’s release noted that Franklin Power and Light would be on scene for an extended period of time repairing damage to the traffic lights at the intersection.
If anyone has any further information about this crash, they can contact the FPD at 757-562-8575, the release stated. Crash Investigator K. Miller is investigating this incident.
