It was a dangerous week on local roadways, with two area crashes ending with flipped vehicles.

On Monday, May 15, at approximately 8 a.m., a dump truck driver had a close call while navigating Highway 70 near Sligo Bridge.

According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, 72-year-old James L. Handy was driving a 2007 Mack CV7 dump truck, loaded with asphalt, west on Highway 70. While attempting to negotiate a curve to the left, the truck overturned on its side. The truck skidded a short distance on its side before colliding with a guardrail.

Deputies with the DeKalb Sheriff’s Department, the DeKalb Fire Department, and DeKalb EMS responded to the scene. Handy was removed from the vehicle and treated by EMS with minor injuries. Charges are pending an investigation.

The following day, a crash on Short Mountain Highway left a local woman with minor injuries after her car flipped in the roadway.

THP officials say that at approximately 9:44, Alyssa Pedroza of Smithville was traveling northbound on Highway 146 (Short Mountain Highway) in a 2003 Chevrolet Impala. At the same time, Virgil Thompson and passenger Robert Taylor, both of Whitley City, KY, were traveling north in a 2016 Ford F550 work truck.

Authorities say that Pedroza attempted to pass several vehicles in the southbound lane as the Ford was attempting to make a lefthand turn onto New Home Road. The Impala struck the truck, ran off the left side of the road and struck a church sign, then overturned several times before coming to rest on its top.

The DeKalb Sheriff’s Department, DeKalb EMS, and DeKalb Fire Department responded to the scene. Pedroza was transported to St. Thomas DeKalb Hospital with minor injuries. Neither Thompson nor Taylor were injured. Pedroza was cited for no seatbelt and improper passing.