Wreck flips over SUV downtown

Traffic was bottle necked for more than an hour Tuesday afternoon at one of the city's busiest downtown intersections while police and first responders responded to a traffic crash at York Street and Richland Avenue.

The crash occurred around 3 p.m.

The driver of a 2000 Hyundai, Felicia Byrd, 34, was traveling east on Richland Avenue and disregarded the red light and collided with an oncoming 2002 Chevy Trail Blazer, said Cpl. Jeremy Hembree, with Aiken Public Safety.

The Trail Blazer was headed south on York Street.

The crash caused the SUV to flip over, throwing debris on the roadway.

Police said the driver of the Trail Blazer and her son were taken to Aiken Regional Medical Centers with what appeared to be non-life-threatening injuries.

"From what we can tell, everyone was wearing their seat belts and speed did not appear to be a factor," Hembree added.

The motorists were all a bit shaken, he added.

The driver of the Hyundai refused medical treatment and was cited.

Police said traffic was backed up for a period of time while first responders assisted the motorists and crews cleared the roadway of the wreckage.

"We had to temporarily shut it down for a brief period of time," Hembree said. "We were able to begin diverting traffic pretty quickly."

Police said the uniqueness of the "circle" intersection did not appear to play a role in the crash, adding that neither vehicle was traveling in the circle at the time.

Contact Karen Daily at kdaily@aikenstandard.com