SMITHFIELD – Police have cited the driver of a black Jeep for causing a two vehicle accident that injured four people. The collision was reported at 3:36pm Monday on Market Street (US 70) at Second Street in Downtown Smithfield.
According to an accident report, Jennifer Alejandra Padilla-Melchor, 21, of Clayton was traveling westbound on Market Street in her black 2013 Jeep SUV. A witness said they had stopped in the right westbound lane for a red light on Market Street at Second Street, when Padilla-Melchor drove past him in the left lane and through the red light.
The Jeep collided with a gray 2021 Honda traveling north on Second Street, operated by Mar’Keyia Shantel Best of Goldsboro. After the impact the Jeep came to rest against a utility pole. The Honda spun around and stopped in the intersection.
Padilla-Melchor and her two small children were transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Best, 22, was treated at the scene but declined medical transport.
Padilla-Melchor was cited for failing to stop for a red light and driving without a license.
