SHADYSIDE — An accident on Ohio 7 sent one driver to a local hospital and led Ohio State Highway Patrol officials to caution drivers about traffic safety in an effort to prevent future accidents.

Around 6 a.m. Wednesday, a car was traveling south on 7 and planned to turn right onto Pipe Creek Road. Before making the turn, the car pulled over onto the berm of the road, obstructing the view of a woman in a 1998 Dodge Intrepid who was waiting to turn north onto Ohio 7. As the truck slowed on the berm, the driver of the Dodge made her turn onto Ohio 7, only to be struck by a Ford pickup with a heavy welder mounted in the bed.

The impact of the two vehicles caused “massive damage” to the Dodge, trapping the woman inside for more than an hour.

Crews from OR&W and Neffs volunteer fire departments worked to free the driver and had to resort to cutting the roof off of the Dodge to finally get her loose. She was take to Wheeling Hospital to be treated for a broken left leg and multiple cuts and lacerations to her face and upper body. The driver of the Ford was uninjured in the crash.

Patrol Lt. James Faunda said one of the factors leading to the crash was the southbound car leaving the highway and pulling onto the berm of the road, causing the other driver to have an obstructed view of her turn.

In addition, the Dodge failed to properly yield while turning., Faunda said, noting that if all the proper guidelines had been followed, there is a chance the accident could have been avoided. He added that both the driver of the Dodge and the driver of the car on the berm will be cited. He did not provide information about the identities of those involved in the crash.

“You have to maintain your lane of travel, even if you’re turning,” Faunda said. “We’re seeing more and more of that — they either pass in the intersection or on the berm of the road, which they’re not allowed to do.”

Faunda added that with the “enormous” amount of traffic moving through the area due to the natural gas industry, drivers have to be extra careful to keep an eye out and drive cautiously.