PLATTSBURGH — An elderly woman was still being evaluated for injuries Tuesday evening after a two-car accident shortly before noon on Route 9.
Rita Stevens, 69, of Chazy was transported by ambulance to CVPH Medical Center, according to a patient care coordinator at the hospital.
“She appeared to have some injuries to her legs, but she was able to get out of the vehicle on her own to get on the stretcher once the ambulances arrived,” said Sandy O’Brien, who was driving directly behind Stevens at Cumberland Head Corners, just south of the intersection with Commodore Thomas MacDonough Highway, in her Chevrolet HHR at the time of the accident.
Stevens was driving north on Route 9 in a 2009 Toyota sedan. She entered the intersection of Route 9 and Commodore Thomas MacDonough Highway.
Stephen Cahill, 52, of Peru drove his 2009 Ford sedan into the same intersection, attempting to make a northwesterly turn, when he struck Stevens’ car head-on at about 11:15 a.m., according to Plattsburgh-based State Police.
“This car coming from Cumberland Head came out of nowhere and just slammed into her,” O’Brien said.
“I had to swerve to avoid the whole thing.”
Neither of the drivers had passengers.
O’Brien stayed with Stevens while they waited for the ambulance to arrive.
It was less than 10 minutes but “It seemed like forever,” O’Brien said.
“She was pretty upset.”
Cahill was treated and released from CVPH. He was ticketed for failing to yield to right of way when making a left turn.
