At approximately 0940 this morning, a head on collision on the Brookport Bridge caused a roadway closure and sent two people to the hospital.
A minivan operated by Kennedy Shelbourne of Paducah, KY, was traveling South on the Brookport Bridge.
A passenger car operated by Zachary Tomkinson and with Shannon Tomkinson as a passenger both of Brookport, IL, was traveling North on the Brookport Bridge.
Miss Shelbourne’s vehicle crossed the center line and, due to the narrow width of the bridge, Mr. Tomkinson had nowhere to go to avoid a collision.
The driver’s side front of the minivan struck the driver’s side front of the passenger car, completely disabling and entangling the driver’s side front quarter panels of both vehicles and shoving Unit 2 into the guardrail of the bridge.
The airbags deployed in both vehicles.
After being extricated from their car, both Mr. and Mrs. Tomkinson were transported to an area hospital for treatment of injuries sustained in the collision.
The roadway was shut down for approximately 1 hour during the investigation and clearance of this collision.
The bridge was inspected by representatives of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet prior to reopening the roadway.
McCracken County Sheriff’s Office was assisted on scene by Paducah Fire Department, Paducah Police Department, Massac County Sheriff’s Office, Concord Fire Department, and Mercy Ambulance.