Two people were hospitalized Tuesday morning following a collision at the intersection of the bypass and Red Road.

It’s fortunate serious injury was avoided, noted McMinnville Police officer Mark Mara, because utility crews were in the immediate area doing work.

“It really was a bad crash, but serious injury was avoided because both occupants were wearing seatbelts and both airbags properly deployed,” said Mara. “It’s also very lucky none of the crewmen working nearby were hit.”

According to the police report, McMinnville resident Parker Dixon, 21, was traveling on the bypass in a dark Ford Mustang heading in the direction of Three Star Mall when he went to make a left turn onto Red Road. He had a green light, but not a protected arrow.

When he made his turn, Dixon reportedly entered the path of a white Toyota Highlander driven by McMinnville resident Larry Rankhorn, 71. He was on the bypass traveling in the direction of Walmart. The impact bounced the Rankhorn vehicle into a ditch on the right side of the bypass.

Rankhorn was taken to the hospital by ambulance. Dixon was transported to the hospital by private vehicle. He was cited for failure to yield.

The crash was called into 911 on Tuesday morning at 10:34 a.m. Bypass traffic was detoured down Red Road while the crash was investigated and the vehicles removed from the scene.