Two hospitalized after accident here

Three local people were injured – two seriously – during a car accident on US 287 in Clarendon Saturday evening, June 26.

According to records of the Donley County Sheriff’s Office, Gina Canon was driving a 2014 Chrysler when she rear-ended a 2003 Toyota Sequoia driven by Dude Cornell and carrying Ruth Hancock at about 7:41 p.m.

The report by Deputy Mike Spier says that Cornell, age 86, was eastbound in the lefthand lane of US 287 near the intersection of US 70 South and had slowed down to see who was at his son’s business, Cornell’s Country Store, since the store was closed at the time. Two witnesses said they changed lanes to avoid hitting Cornell, but Canon, age 34, did not swerve in time and hit the slowed vehicle.

Cornell’s vehicle travelled across the turn lane and the westbound lanes and then ran into a parked vehicle at Chris McKinney’s shop, causing a chain reaction of impact to two other vehicles and a building.

Cornell’s passenger, Ruth Hancock, was not seriously injured, family members said on Sunday.

Cornell suffered a laceration above his left eye, and Spier said Tuesday that he was still hospitalized with other injuries. Canon also remained hospitalized with severe injuries to a foot.

Spier said a citation for “failure to control speed” has been issued against Canon, and the investigation continues.