By Shavonne Walker

shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

Police say it’s possible the brakes failed for one driver involved in a four-vehicle crash Tuesday afternoon at West Jake Alexander Boulevard and Mooresville Road, just in front of Pizza Hut.

Salisbury Police Master Patrol Officer Matt Benjamin said Maurice Taylor, 85, of Whispering Pines, who was driving a white BMW station wagon, said he was traveling southwest on West Jake Alexander Boulevard when his brakes failed.

Taylor said he got into the far right lane when he realized the brakes weren’t working in order to not rear end anyone, but found himself traveling through the intersection.

The officer said at the same time a Ford pickup driven by Amanda Shrewsberry, 21, of Salisbury, was turning left on Jake Alexander Boulevard when the truck was broadsided by the BMW. The pickup spun, clipping a Hyundai crossing Jake Alexander Boulevard to continue onto Mooresville Road.

The Hyundai, driven by Judith Massey, 62, of Cleveland, was traveling beside the pickup in the other lane. Massey was not injured and able to drive her car from the scene, the officer said.

The BMW rolled into a Nissan driven by Turdell Jones, 35, of Salisbury, who was sitting at the light preparing to continue on Jake Alexander Boulevard toward the Hurley Family YMCA. He was not injured and was seen walking around following the accident.

Taylor and his passenger, Betty Conner, 72, of Aberdeen, were both taken to the Novant Health Rowan Medical Center with minor injuries. Shrewsberry was also taken to the hospital with minor injuries.

Officer Benjamin said it’s not clear if the brakes did in fact fail because tests done at the scene were inconclusive. The BMW’s engine was not operating so the officer could not check the power brakes and the extent of damage to the vehicle also prevented him from verifying if the brakes weren’t working properly.

The officer said tests done in a body shop should be able to confirm any brake issues. No charges were filed.

Jones told a Post reporter he wasn’t sure what happened because “all of a sudden I looked up and there were two cars heading towards me.”

Carolyn Mumford, who was driving a school bus, was a witness to the accident and told the Post she was traveling on Mooresville Road and was waiting to turn onto Jake Alexander Boulevard.

Mumford said she saw the BMW “flying through the intersection.”

Contact reporter Shavonne Walker at 704-797-4253.

Post intern Allana Ansboro contributed to this story.