Officer watches as driver fails to yield before accident

A Wilmington driver was ticketed Wednesday, Jan. 11, following an accident that occurred in view of a Morris police officer.

The officer was stopped at a red light in the south turn lane on Lisbon Street at Bedford Road around 9:30 a.m. when he observed the traffic accident.

The west and eastbound traffic on Bedford Road had solid green lights, he said in the police report. He saw Valerie H. Mitchell, 42, of Wilmington, Ill., turn left from the west turn lane on Bedford.

Lori A. Fiesel, 48, of Ottawa, Ill., was traveling at approximately 30 to 35 miles per hour in the eastbound lane of Bedford Road, but slammed on her brakes.

Fiesel struck Mitchell's front passenger side bumper.

Mitchell told the officer she had the solid green light and did not see Fiesel.

Fiesel said she had the solid green light, saw Mitchell starting to turn and applied her brakes to avoid the accident, but they collided anyway.

Fiesel's vehicle received minor damages to the hood and bumper area. Mitchell's vehicle had extensive damage to the front passenger side bumper and fender.

Both drivers refused medical attention and Mitchell refused medical attention for her passenger.

Mitchell was cited for failure to yield turning left. She was given a notice to appear in court at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 25.