FRANKLIN
Franklin Police responded on Saturday to the scene of a two-vehicle accident with injuries at the intersection of North Main Street and East Third Avenue downtown. The accident occurred at approximately 11:49 a.m.

According to Capt. Tim Whitt, spokesman for the police department, the first vehicle involved was a 2000 Ford Windstar operated by Mary Battle, 67, who was traveling west on East Third Avenue, approaching North Main Street at a stated speed of 5 mph. The second vehicle was a 2005 Honda Accord operated by Sarah Vargo, also 67, who was traveling north on North Main Street, approaching East Third Avenue at a stated speed of 25 mph.

Because Battle had been going the wrong way on a one-way street, she did not stop before turning onto North Main Street. Vargo, not expecting Battle to pull out, did not slow down or stop.

Battle was transported to Southampton Memorial Hospital with a complaint of soreness. Battle had also been transporting two passengers: a 39-year-old male, Anthony Gary, who is her son, and a 3-month-old male, Ahmed Gary, who is Anthony’s son.

The 39-year-old was transported to Sentara Obici with head injuries and seizures. The 3-month-old was transported by Nightingale to the Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters in Norfolk with a minor laceration to his head, and as a precautionary measure.

Vargo was the sole occupant of her vehicle, and was transported by EMS to Southampton Memorial Hospital with knee pain. Both vehicles had significant front end damage and were towed by Southampton Towing.

Battle was issued two citations, one for failure to obey a highway sign and one for child restraint. The 3-month-old had not been secured in a car seat, but rather was seated in his father’s lap.