By By ROBERT BLANKENSHIP – Managing Editor
A Brewton elderly woman was killed on Thanksgiving Day when her car collided with another vehicle at a city intersection.
Willie L. Porterfield, 80, of Gowan Avenue died in the emergency room at D.W. McMillan Hospital according to officials.
The driver of the second vehicle, Robert L. Fritz, 69, of Gulf Breeze, Fla., was also transported to the hospital for injuries, none of which were considered life-threatening. A passenger in the vehicle was not injured.
According to Brewton Police Chief David Lovelace, Porterfield was traveling west on Underwood Street when she attempted to make a northward turn onto St. Nicholas Street, or Hwy. 41. She was driving a 1989 Dodge Dynasty.
As Porterfield was making the turn, Fritz, who was driving a 1998 Ford Expedition, ran into the Dynasty's driver's side.
Brewton police along with members of the Rescue Squad responded to the scene at approximately 1:30 p.m. The "Jaws of Life" was needed to open the car and get to Porterfield. Also responding to the scene were the Brewton Fire Department, Escambia County Sheriff's Office, McMillan Ambulance Service and the East Brewton Police Department.
When officers arrived on the scene, Lovelace said Porterfield was not responsive.
Porterfield was taken from the vehicle and transported to the hospital by ambulance.
Lovelace said the officials that responded to the scene did all they could to save the victim.
The accident has caused local authorities to look at the intersection of Hwy. 41 and Underwood Street. Lovelace and Brewton Superintendent Danny Howard met with District Engineer Brent Maddox at the intersection to look at making it safer.
Lovelace said the accident remains under investigation.