Tuesday, 23 October 2007 01:12
Pioneer Woman Seriously Injured in Jackson Crash
On Saturday afternoon, a Pioneer woman was seriously injured when her
speeding car ended up in a parking lot. Upon arrival at the scene, Jackson police discovered a late
model Ford Explorer belonging to Ruth Neal, 74, of Pioneer, in the
parking lot of the Jackson Auto Body Shop, where the Explorer had collided with
two parked cars. Neal was found inside the vehicle at the very back of the car
above the right rear wheel-well. She appeared to have suffered major head
injuries and had to be extricated from the vehicle by Jackson Fire Department,
Cal-Fire, and American Legion Ambulance medics.
Neal was transported by helicopter to a valley hospital. Her condition
is reported as very critical. Witnesses reported that they had followed Neal on
the highway and reported her via cell phone as a possible DUI driver after
seeing her drive erratically on Highway 49 near Clinton Road just minutes before the
collision. Some witnesses tried to keep Neal from driving when she stopped her
vehicle at a shopping center parking lot, but she sped away. Witnesses estimated
Neal’s speed at one point to be 65-70 MPH. Jackson Police Department is asking any witnesses who
have not spoken to a member of the police department to please call Jackson
Police Officer Victor Capaz at 223-1771 with any information about this
incident.
