Woman escapes injury as SUV crashes into creek

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

A North Carolina woman had to kick the windshield out of her SUV after it crashed into a creek bed Monday evening in northwestern Greencastle Township.

Mary E. Latorre, 21, Zirconia, N.C., was southbound on County Road 250 West in a 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche when she came to a sweeping downhill curve to the left.

Latorre told Deputy Mike Downing she applied her brakes to slow down but admitted she was going too fast for the curve. Her SUV began to spin out of control due to the wet road and vehicle speed.

The SUV left the west side of the road as it approached a concrete bridge over Jones Creek. It then hit a bridge abutment and came to rest on its side in the creek bed, approximately 20 feet below the road surface.

Latorre was able to kick the windshield out of the vehicle and escape as water began to rush in. The vehicle was in approximately one foot of water.

Uninjured, Latorre was able to walk to the nearest residence to call for help.

The vehicle was recovered from the creek and towed.

Damage was estimated at $5,001-$10,000.

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