Four-car accident sends five people to local hospitals

Emergency personnel responded to a four-car accident Thursday involving an Alexander County, Ill., ambulance that left five people injured.

Police say the crash started when a southbound Dodge Dakota pickup, driven by David Ledure of Jackson, struck the ambulance, which was westbound on 74. Ledure suffered chest and shoulder injuries.

The ambulance's lights and sirens were being used at the time. The driver, Lucinda Jason of Olive Branch, Ill., had slowed down at the intersection but didn't stop at the red light, police said. Jason suffered injuries to her right knee and hip.

Emergency medical technician Victoria Wallace of Olive Branch suffered head and back injuries. The patient, Paul Coaoeson of Olive Branch, did not receive any new injuries in the crash. Ledure's pickup then struck a Ford Explorer, driven by Karen Bangert of Cape Girardeau. She was not injured. The ambulance then struck a U.S. Postal Service vehicle, a Ford Taurus, driven by Michael Boone of Jackson. Boone suffered a head injury. His passenger, Brant Henson of Jackson, was not injured.