By Jeff Devine
Two drivers were critically injured Thursday morning following a violent collision between a semi-truck and a dump truck at a busy intersection north of Enterprise.
According to Sheriff Scott Byrd, the collision happened around 6:40 a.m. at the intersection of Highway 167 and Salem Road. Authorities said the semi-truck was traveling along Salem Road when it entered the intersection and was struck head-on by a dump truck moving along the highway.
The impact left both vehicles heavily damaged and overturned along the roadside.
Byrd said he arrived at the scene less than a minute after the crash while on his way to work. He immediately began assisting, breaking out the rear window of the dump truck so he and an officer with the Enterprise Police Department could free the driver.
Efforts to reach the semi-truck driver were more complicated, as the cab was severely crushed. Emergency crews used cutting tools to extricate the driver from the wreckage.
Both drivers were transported to a local hospital with serious injuries. Their conditions had not been released as of the time of this report (Thursday afternoon).
Officials said Highway 167 remained closed through midday while crews cleared debris and investigators worked to determine the cause of the crash.
Authorities also confirmed the semi-truck was hauling a load of hemp destined for a legal processing facility in Geneva, while the dump truck was carrying sand.
Once more information is released, we will update this report.
