Afternoon accident brings traffic to a crawl

An early afternoon two-vehicle accident on northbound U.S. 67 at Holly Tree Lane brought traffic to a crawl and left both vehicles heavily damaged.

According to Farmington Police, Betty Jo Helvey, 92, of Poplar Bluff, was driving a 2003 Chevy Trailblazer northbound on U.S. 67 when she moved into the passing lane and attempted to make a U-turn onto southbound U.S. 67 via the emergency vehicle crossing.

While doing so, Helvey pulled in the path of Charles E. Musgrave, 72, of Piedmont, who was heading north on U.S. 67 in a 2015 Subaru Forester. Musgrave was not able to slow in time and struck the back of Helvey’s Trailblazer, pushing the vehicle into the cable barrier of the median, leaving Helvey trapped in her vehicle.

With the help from Marler’s Towing, the Farmington Fire Department were able to pull the vehicle away from the barrier and free Helvey from her car.

Helvey and a passenger her passenger, Wanda Rickman, 86, also from Poplar Bluff, suffered minor injuries but refused medical treatment. Musgrave also received minor injuries by refused medical treatment as well.

A Tuesday afternoon accident tied up traffic on northbound U.S. 67 at Holly Tree Lane in Farmington. The accident left two vehicles with extensive damage and three individuals with minor injuries.

A Tuesday afternoon accident tied up traffic on northbound U.S. 67 at Holly Tree Lane in Farmington. The accident left two vehicles with extensive damage and three individuals with minor injuries.