Juvenile among injured in three-vehicle crash in Florence

FLORENCE, Ky. - A juvenile is among four people who sustained injuries in a three-vehicle collision on Hopeful Church Road in Florence Sunday.

Florence police say the crash happened on Hopeful Church Road between Surfwood and Kelly drives at about 8 p.m. The crash happened after a 2012 Fiat driven by Christina Newman traveled into oncoming traffic.

The Fiat, which was driving northbound on Hopeful Church Road, crossed into the southbound lanes and into the path of a 2000 Ford Excursion driven by James Garey. A third vehicle traveling northbound on Hopeful Church Road, a Chevy Blazer driven by Chevy Cason, was also involved in the crash.

The Fiat and Excursion sustained heavy front-end damage. Newman and the passenger in her Fiat, Michelle Beatty, received very serious injuries in the accident. A medical helicopter transported Newman to University Hospital for treatment. Both Newman and Beatty are in critical condition, according to authorities.

Emergency crews transported Garey to UC and the juvenile passenger in his vehicle was taken to Childrens Hospital. Both Garey and the juvenile, whose name or age have not yet been released, sustained less serious injuries in the crash.

Cason and his passenger, Diannea Wilson did not sustain injuries in the crash.

Alcohol did not appear to be a factor in the crash, according to police.

Linda Suttles said she was in her house nearby when she heard a loud crash.

"I said there's an accident, took off running, grabbed my phone and called the police," she said.

She immediately ran outside to see what was going on.

S uttles said she believes something needs to be done before someone ends up getting killed there.

"This road is not safe. They need to do something about it," she said. "I see a lot of accidents here. They just need to fix it."

Matthew Louis lives nearby. He is also concerned.

"The speed limit is 43. It's easy to go faster. I'm guilty of it, and a lot of people aren't paying attention as they go in middle turning lanes," he said. "It's very dangerous. Something needs to be done, but something needs to be done soon."

Florence police were on scene working in conjunction with the Boone County Sheriff's Office to figure out what exactly happened.

Any witnesses of the crash are asked to contact Florence police at (859) 647-5420.