Multiple Car Accident On Chalybeate Snarls School Traffic, But No Injuries

Darren Doyle, story and photos
Three vehicles were involved in an accident on Chalybeate Road today just in front of the Chalybeate Food Mart around 2:45pm. A fourth car was in the mix, but somehow escaped damage.

Officials said that Dawnita Cook, 33 was stopped in a 2010 Toyota Camry in the southbound lane waiting for the car in front of her to turn into the store parking lot. Behind Cook was a Dodge Challenger, also stopped. Officials said Destiny Smith, a Grayson County resident in a 2002 Chevy Trailblazer, was distracted and didn't see the stopped cars until she upon them. Deputies said she swerved onto the right shoulder of the road, lost control of the vehicle and it spun around, somehow avoiding the Challenger, but striking Mrs. Cook in her Camry.  

2002 Chevy Trailblazer driven by Destiny Smith and 2010 Toyota Camry driven by Dawnita Cook.

Officials said Madelyne Taylor, an 18 year old ECHS senior from Chalybeate, was following the Trailblazer in a 2001 GMC Sierra. Due to the Trailblazer not immediately applying the brakes, Ms. Taylor was unaware that traffic was stopped until she was virtually on top of the wrecked cars. She was able to avoid a collision by swerving right and taking the ditch in front of Mr. Henry Rea's house, turning a full 180 degrees.

Ms. Taylor was recently in a single vehicle accident about a month ago and said that she was actually on her way to pick up her repaired car which was damaged in the prior accident.

2001 GMC Sierra driven by Madelyne Taylor.

School buses and other school related traffic were backed up all along Chalybeate stretch as emergency personnel cleared the scene. 

No injuries were reported. Responding to the scene was the Edmonson County Sheriff's Office, Chalybeate Fire Department, Brownsville Fire Department, and Edmonson EMS.