A collision involving two vehicles Tuesday night resulted in a citation in lieu of arrest and a head injury. 

According to the report, on May 23 McMinnville Police Officer Tristan Shirley responded to a wreck with injury at the intersection of Sparta Street and Cadillac Lane at approximately 4:45 p.m. The wreck involved Carlos Lara, 55, driving a black Jeep Cherokee and Angelia Russell driving a white Nissan Pathfinder.

When Officer Shirley spoke to Lara, he stated that Russell slammed on the brakes causing him to hit her vehicle from behind. When asked if he could remember if they had a red or green light he reportedly could not remember. Russell was unable to give a statement at the time due to a head injury and was transported to Ascension Saint Thomas River Park Hospital. The passenger in Russell’s vehicle, Rhea Fults, stated they were stopped at a red light at the intersection when Lara reportedly hit their vehicle from behind.   

A witness stated she believed the light was green due to traffic still moving along. The witness also stated that she observed the sudden stop before the accident, but could not completely recall what happened. 

According to the report, during the investigation it was discovered that Lara did not have a valid driver’s license. Lara was given a citation in lieu of arrest for no driver’s license with a court date set for June 8 at 8:30 a.m.