Elderly Longview woman in critical condition after collision on U.S. 45 at I-57

A 77-year-old Longview woman is in critical condition after an accident last week at 10:45 a.m. on U.S. 45 at I-57.  Authorities believe the collision occurred when an 81-year-old man from Philo was heading south on I-57 and took the wrong exit. As he was attempting to cross U.S. 45 to get back on the interstate, he ignored a stop sign and his Toyota Echo collided with the victim’s Lincoln MKZ.

The woman was transported to a local hospital with a broken neck and two broken arms. Reports indicate that she is now in grave condition after complications involving surgery on her neck. Both individuals were wearing their seatbelts at the time of the crash, and the impact was forceful enough to activate the airbags in both vehicles.

The man was ticketed at the scene for failure to obey a stop sign.

For more details on this tragic accident, read the full story on The News-Gazette.