Vehicle catches fire after collision with SUV

Published 12:00 am Sunday, February 24, 2008

THE SELMA TIMES-JOURNAL

A two-vehicle crash at Water Avenue and Broad Street resulted in two passengers being transported to a local hospital early Saturday evening.

Authorities said a 2001 Ford Focus traveling north on Broad Street, coming off the Edmund Pettus Bridge collided with a 1998 Ford Explorer traveling east on Water Avenue.

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The Explorer, driven by Dottie Bennett of Selma, and carrying three other passengers, overturned from the broadside hit by the Focus, driven by Napoleon David, 31 of Selma.

Davis ran from the driver&8217;s side of the Focus as it caught fire, then returned to pull his younger brother, Corey James, 16, from the vehicle. James, initially thought to be unharmed, was transported to the hospital in a private vehicle.

Selma police officers Chris Harris and Carlos Jones arrived at the scene and had to cut the safety belt to free Bennett from behind the wheel of her Explorer.

The officers also had to pull Reggie Bennett from the overturned vehicle.

Reggie Bennett was treated for injuries at the scene by paramedics and transported to Vaughan Regional Medical Center.

Lisa Browder and Colter Browder, 12, were also passengers in the Explorer.

The accident occurred at 6:47 p.m. Both drivers said they had the right of way.

Twelve-year-old Colter could be heard screaming following the crash.

&8220;He said &8216;I&8217;m out of here,&8217;&8221; his mother said.