Smithville firefighters had to use the jaws-of-life last week to extricate a woman involved in a two-vehicle crash. The accident occurred on Highway 56 North Congress Boulevard (Cookeville Highway) in front of Family Medical Center.

According to Tennessee Highway Patrol Trooper Brent Collier, 60-year-old Teresa Bryant of New Home Road, Dowelltown, was traveling north on Highway 56 in a white 2008 Honda Civic. At the same time, a white 2020 Dodge van, driven by 31-year-old Joseph Johnson of Cookeville was traveling behind the Bryant vehicle.

Authorities say that as the Civic was attempting to turn right into the parking lot of Family Medical Center, the van failed to slow down and attempted to avoid a collision by passing on the right. The van struck the car in the passenger side door as the car turned. Both vehicles sustained damage and came to rest in a ditch line.

One passenger in the Bryant vehicle had to be freed from the wreckage my firefighter. She was transported to the hospital by DeKalb EMS with minor injuries.

Smithville Police, Smithville Fire, and DeKalb EMS responded to the scene.