There was a serious accident this morning near mile 7 on the Northern Highway. At approximately 11:30 – a GMC Sierra pickup driven by Errol Garbutt crashed into a Toyota Corolla driven by Hadie Gutierrez. It was a violent collision sending both cars into a fence. Gutierrez was seriously hurt and was rushed to the hospital. Garbutt told us what happened.
Errol Garbutt, Involved in Accident
“I was on my way into the city and approaching this entrance right here so, I meet that Corolla parked on the opposite shoulder, on the right hand shoulder. While I was coming up to its tail it just pulled on. I couldn’t do nothing, I didn’t even brakes. I hit her full impact, I was probably going 55 or 60, not over that, but I hit her full impact. I really couldn’t do anything to stop that accident there other than running in the river.”
Keith Swift,
So you didn’t anticipate her move?
Errol Garbutt,
“No I didn’t expect the lady to pull on the road. She just came
on the road, I tried to avoid but it was impossible. She had on her indicator to turn but I was behind a next vehicle too and she came in between the two of we. She allowed the first vehicle to pass her and pulled on behind that in front of me.”
Keith Swift,
What’s the damage to your pickup?
Errol Garbutt,
“I think that isn’t good anymore. You see how the front looks. All kinds of things popped out from the front, I think it is totalled. I think those two vehicles are totalled.”
Keith Swift,
I see some scratches and bruises, what were your injuries?
Errol Garbutt,
“Well I only got a deep cut on my hand and up here is kind of starting to hurt now all of a sudden. Probably I am just feeling the impact.”
Keith Swift,
Who is to blame?
Errol Garbutt,
“I wouldn’t want to point fingers but I don’t think she saw me. She, I guess she didn’t make sure the traffic behind her was cleared first. I just hope she is alright because she got hit hard.”
At news time – Hadie Gutierrez was in surgery. She has internal bleeding in the head and suffered 5 broken ribs – one of which punctured her lungs. It subsequently collapsed but has extended – though she will still require surgery. Doctors are optimistic.
