A three vehicle accident involving a JCATS bus caused some traffic delays in Smithfield on Wednesday afternoon. The 4:09pm collision was reported on N. Brightleaf Boulevard at the entrance to Walmart.
Smithfield Police said a Johnston County Area Transit System bus driven by Lisa Britt Cartwright of Angier was traveling southbound on N. Brightleaf and failed to stop for a red light at the intersection. The bus struck the side of a 2016 Toyota driven by Freda Dale Barbour of Shotwell Road, Clayton. The Toyota was then pushed into a 2006 Ford operated by Bobby Randle Brewer Jr. of Brewer Lane, Princeton.
Barbour was briefly trapped inside her car until she could be removed by first responders. She was transported to Johnston Medical Center in Smithfield for treatment of minor injuries. Cartwright and Brewer were not hurt.
According to an accident report, Cartwright told police she looked down for some papers while driving and when she looked back up the light was red and she ran the red light. Police estimated the bus was traveling at 35mph at the time of impact. 35mph is the posted speed limit.
Cartwright was cited by Officer J.B. Sittig with failure to stop at a red light.
Damage to the bus was estimated at $3,000. Damage to Barbour’s Toyota was placed at $10,000 and damage to the Ford was $500.
Photos by John Payne
