Two people were seriously injured last week following a devastating two-vehicle crash in Liberty. Both victims of the crash had to be airlifted to the hospital.

According to Tennessee Highway Patrol Trooper Brent Collier, at 9:35 am, on Wednesday, March 1, 62-year-old Gregory Drake was north on Highway 53 (Woodbury Highway) in a 2011 Ford Econoline 350 van. At the same time, 20-year-old Jordan Bailiff was traveling eastbound on Highway 70 in a 2008 Dodge Charger.

Authorities say that as Drake was attempting to turn onto Highway 70, he pulled into the path of the Charger.  After the collision, both vehicles traveled a short distance north before coming to final rest, off of the left side of the roadway.

Deputies with the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department, the DeKalb County Fire Department, and units with DeKalb EMS responded to the scene. DeKalb Fire’s Extrication Unit also responded in order to extricate Drake from his vehicle.

The crash left Drake trapped in his vehicle with the van teetering on its side, threatening to turn over.  Firefighters worked to brace the van, before removing a side door and being able to reach the patient.

Both Drake and Bailiff were transported to a landing zone set up at DeKalb West School, where they were flown to Vanderbilt Medical Center by Lifeflight helicopters. Both men had serious injuries.