Updated Jan. 12, 8:56 a.m.
BERLIN – A two-car collision occurred at the intersection of U.S. Highway 278 East and Alabama Highway 157 this evening, and one driver was airlifted to Huntsville Hospital.
The crash happened at approximately 6 p.m. when a white Nissan Maxima, traveling south on 157, allegedly failed to stop at the stop sign and was hit by a champagne-colored Chevrolet Tahoe SUV traveling east on 278.
According to Berlin Volunteer Fire Department Chief Ralph Laney, the driver of the Nissan, the vehicle's only occupant, was taken by Air Evac Lifeteam helicopter to Huntsville.
"We were told that the Nissan ran the stop sign and was t-boned on the passenger side by the SUV," said Laney. "The driver of the Nissan had to be extricated from the vehicle."
A power pole was hit in the crash, and the Cullman Electric Cooperative was dispatched due to power lines in the roadway.
"That intersection needs to have streetlights. It would help a whole lot because there's nothing marking the stop signs out here except for the red reflective tape around them," Laney stated. "Maybe this will wake somebody up and something will happen. I think, and I'm not for sure, but I think there's been three people killed in this intersection."
When asked if traffic lights at the intersection would be beneficial, Laney answered, "It wouldn't hurt, but if they just had some streetlights it would help a whole lot."
Cullman Fire Rescue was on the scene to assist, as was Cullman Emergency Medical Services (EMS).
There were two occupants in the Tahoe- the driver and a child. The driver told emergency responders on the scene that she was taking the child to Children's of Alabama in Birmingham "to get checked out."
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) state troopers on Thursday morning identified those involved as Alyssa Hallmark, 18, of Morrisville, Mississippi (driver of the Nissan) and Stephanie Bullock, 35 of Cullman (driver of the Tahoe).
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