GOLD HILL — A Gold Hill woman was taken to the hospital Monday after a near head-on crash on Old Beatty Ford Road.
North Carolina State Highway Patrol Trooper D.P. Efird said 52-year-old Janet Wenberg was taken to Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte after a Kia Sorento crossed the center line and slammed into the front of her Dodge Challenger Monday afternoon.
Efird said Wenberg suffered an injury to one of her legs. The injuries are not life threatening, he said.
Authorities charged 38-year-old Shannon Josey, of Richfield, in the collision. He was cited for traveling left of center.
“Basically there was a boat and a truck in front of (Josey), turning into the brick plant. He failed to see him stopping,” Efird said. “Instead of colliding with him (Josey) thought he’d go around him. That’s when Ms. Wenberg was coming and they pretty much hit head on.”
The collision was called in about 2:45 p.m. and emergency crews continued to clean the roadway about 3:30 p.m.
Josey was seen walking with a limp along the crash scene following the collision. Wenberg was taken to CMC by ambulance.
Gold Hill Volunteer Fire Department, the Rowan Rescue Squad and the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the response.
Gold Hill Fire Chief Chad Earnhardt said both vehicles had significant front-end damage when crews arrived on the scene.
With speed limits of up to 55 mph along the narrow, winding road, Earnhardt said, the busy two-lane racks up wreck calls throughout the year.
“We probably have more wrecks on Old Beatty Ford Road than we do on U.S. 52,” Earnhardt said.