One injured in Sedona collision

Story and photos by Cyndy Hardy


SEDONA, Jan. 17 – A lunch hour two-vehicle collision on Hwy. 89A in West Sedona sent one woman to the hospital and shook up four others. The accident happened at about 12:26 p.m. in front of Hotel Rouge in West Sedona.

Sedona Police Department Sgt. Kevin Ahern said a newer-model Jeep Compass was eastbound on Hwy. 89A, attempting a left turn into the hotel parking lot. A westbound 2007 Honda Accord was in the right-hand turn lane approaching Rodeo Road.

Two westbound vehicles had stopped to let the Compass through, Ahern said. Because of the angle, the 28-year-old Honda driver did not see the other vehicle coming until it was too late.

“I couldn’t stop in time,” the Honda driver said at the scene.


The impact knocked the Compass over on its side. Sedona Fire District crews rescued the driver and three passengers, including a 70-year-old woman who was placed on a backboard and transported by ambulance with non-life-threatening injuries.

No one else appeared injured; all were wearing seat belts and the vehicles’ airbags had deployed, Ahern said. Initial investigation indicated the driver of the Compass was at fault, he said.

Names were not immediately available, although police said the Honda driver lives in Sedona and the Compass was a rental vehicle from California.

Westbound traffic was reduced to one lane until both vehicles were towed from the scene.

Cutlines:
962-89A-1-17b
A 70-YEAR-OLD Sedona tourist escaped serious injury in a two-vehicle collision on Hwy. 89A Thursday afternoon. Sedona Fire District crews stabilized the overturned Jeep Compass with wood blocks while assisting four from the wreckage.

962-89A-1-17c
THREE SHAKEN occupants of an overturned Jeep Compass barely escaped serious injury after a lunch-hour collision that sent a fourth companion to the hospital Thursday with non-life-threatening injuries.

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