Two people were sent to the hospital following a two car accident Tuesday afternoon on North Brightleaf Boulevard (US 301) at North Street near Johnston Medical Center.
The wreck was reported at 3:29pm. Smithfield Police said a 2001 Pontiac was traveling northbound and above the posted speed limit of 35 mph on North Brightleaf Boulevard when the driver, 62 year-old Hattie Amanda Pooler of US 70-A, Pine Level failed to stop for a red light at the intersection. Her car struck a 2008 Chrysler being operated by Sue Johnson Allen, 73, of E Parker Street, Smithfield that had the green light and was attempted to cross through the intersection on North Street. Police estimated Pooler was traveling at 45 mph at the time of the impact and Allen at 15 mph.
Pooler and a 4 year-old female passenger in the Pontiac were taken by ambulance to Johnston Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries. Allen was not transported to the hospital.
A Johnston County deputy sheriff witnessed the accident. Officer D.A. Sholes cited Pooler with failure to stop for a stoplight. Damage to the Pontiac was placed at $10,000 and damage to the Chrysler at $5,000. Both vehicles had to be towed from the scene.
