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11:53 p.m. • 2-10-12

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Wrong-Way Driver Collides With Tractor-Trailer


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Alamance County Accident
Alamance County Accident

Part of Interstates 85/40 were shut down for more than five hours Wednesday after an accident involving a tractor-trailer in Alamance County.

The North Carolina Highway Patrol said the driver, Emma Hammos, 78, of Whitsett, got onto the highway from the Huffman Mill Road exit ramp after leaving a nearby IHOP. She drove her 1991 Cadillac the wrong way for around a mile before colliding head-on with a northbound tractor-trailer shortly before noon.

Investigators said the tractor-trailer driver, Ricky Outlaw, 40, of New Bern, saved lives with his quick thinking. Outlaw turned his truck into the median, avoiding hitting other vehicles.

Hammos, who drove a 1991 Cadillac, received minor injuries. Outlaw had no visible injuries, troopers said.

Two of the four northbound lanes were closed, and traffic was backed up for miles as crews worked to clear the wreckage.

Investigators said they have seen the exit and entrance ramps in this area confuse drivers before.

RELATED TOPICS: Alamance County

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118 Comments


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To all of the posters here that keep saying this elderly person must be stupid...get a grip. Ever consider the possibility that this could be the first signs of Alzheimer's disease?? All of us will be old at some point, let's see how your views change once that happens. You people are being so inconsiderate it's pathetic.

And, sorry for you non-Jesus believers, obviously Jesus was there, or someone surely would have been killed in this type of accident. And quit bringing illegals into this story. Come on people it has nothing to do with that. Show some compassion. Some of you are the very reason America is becoming the way it is today. Praying that the lady's family will look into what may have caused this. And praying for both drivers to be OK.

Did you see that truck? This is why we should look into an umbrella insurance policy because causing an accident where a semi is totaled would probably exceed anyone's auto insurance.

When someone is over 65 they should have to not only provide medical and vision clearance to drive but should have to take a road test every year. There have been too many accidents that could have been avoided if the elderly driver had been tested. I had to clip my mothers wings and was the devil child for a while but I had no choice. She was having little strokes and dizzy spells and did not need to be behind the wheel of a car when it happened. When I finally got it through her head that she would never get over it if she hurt someone else then I got into the will again. It has to be very hard for someone to give up driving but it is easier than living with taking a life.

Well, jesus nor god came to the rescue, nor were they seen anywhere near the accident trying to help. Guess this proves once again they don't exist either. OTOH, Zeus gave everything he had to make sure no one was seriously injured in this terrible accident.

She was in a 1991 Cadillac and survived, try that in your hybrid junk. -- johnmkramer

its probably because she was insulated by all the grease and oil caked up on that USDM POS

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