Chattanooga Pulse

Chattanooga Police responded to two serious traffic accidents on Saturday,  one of which resulted in a fatality. The first accident happened around 4 a.m. at 300 I-75 southbound as an ambulance which was transporting a patient to Erlanger, collided with a vehicle.

According to traffic investigation and witnesses on the scene, the ambulance had just entered I-75 from East Brainerd Road and was in the right lane when a Honda Accord driven by Irma Franco pulled over to allow the unit to pass. Just as the ambulance attempted to pass, the Honda re-entered the lane into the pathway of the ambulance causing the collision.

Everyone from the crash scene suffered serious to minor injuries as a result of the accident and was taken to Erlanger for treatment ranging from head injuries to bruises and abrasions.

The victim in the back of the ambulance who was suffering cardiac distress was also re-injured due to the collision but is expected to survive. Charges against Franco are pending further investigation.

A second traffic accident happened just before 6 a.m.  at 2300 Tunnel Blvd when a single vehicle crashed into a utility pole.

The driver of the vehicle, for reasons unknown, lost control of the vehicle and skidded off the roadway into a utility pole.

He was pronounced dead on the scene.

The cause of the collision is still under investigation but speed is believed to be a factor.

The identity of the driver will not be released until next of kin has been notified.