Collision sends 1 to hospital (30 June 2006)

BLOGGER'S NOTE: This was a breaking news piece, hence the length.

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By JOE RUIZ
jruiz@sastandardtimes.com or 659-8262

A Grape Creek woman was in critical but stable condition at Shannon Medical Center after a collision Thursday evening north of San Angelo.

The wreck occurred when a Dodge Ram truck ran into a Nissan Altima at the intersection of Highway 87 North and March Road, about two miles north of the San Angelo city limits.The truck, driven by Mary Estrada, 30, of Miles, was traveling southbound on Highway 87 while following friends in another vehicle, said Department of Public Safety Trooper Billy Pierce.

While crossing the highway to proceed on March, Estrada's vehicle struck the Altima, which was traveling north on Highway 87, said Pierce.

The truck rolled over once before landing on its tires, and the Altima was pushed about 15 yards from the highway.

The driver of the Altima, Victoria Beise, 53, of Grape Creek, was transported to Shannon Medical Center by a San Angelo Fire Department ambulance. She had to be extracted from the vehicle with the Jaws of Life, Pierce said. A dog riding in the Altima with Beise was killed, he said.

Estrada was transported to Shannon as a precaution.

Pierce said Estrada will be cited for disregarding a stop sign. Both drivers were wearing safety belts at the time of the collision.