Woman in fair condition after Monday accident

By Shavonne Potts

spotts@salisburypost.com

A China Grove woman remains hospitalized after being involved in a Monday morning collision with a tractor-trailer at Mooresville and Airport roads.

Luz Hernedez Ferguson, 31, of 670 Ed Deal Road, was airlifted to Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem.

Hospital officials reported that she was in fair condition late Thursday night.

John Mark Stapleton, 38, of 130 Fagan Road, Columbus, was driving the tractor-trailer for Penske Truck Leasing Co., based in Fort Wayne, Ind.

According to an N.C. Highway Patrol wreck report completed by Trooper S.W. Black, the tractor-trailer was heading west on Mooresville Road, while the Kia, which was driven by Ferguson, was traveling east on Mooresville Road.

The tractor-trailer began to make a left turn. Stapleton told a trooper he had to stop in the eastbound travel lane of Mooresville Road and partially on Airport Road because the Kia was at the stop sign obstructing him from completing the turn.

Ferguson's Kia collided with the tractor-trailer in the right front wheel. Both vehicles came to rest at the point of impact, the report said.

Stapleton was cited for failure to yield right of way for a left turn.

Ferguson was also cited for driving while license suspended and a revoked registration plate, according to the accident report.

Rusty Alexander, chief of Locke Fire Department, said at the time of the crash he was told this was the second time in less than two months the woman driving the Kia had been involved in a serious wreck.

Alexander said he was told the woman suffered multiple injuries as a result of the crash. She was airlifted from Locke Fire Department.

Alexander said the Kia caught fire as a result of the collision. He said bystanders used a fire extinguisher to douse the flames.

Alcohol or drugs were not a factor in the collision. Speed also does not appear to be a factor.