Rear-end collision spoils birthday meal

Victoria Martinez' 8 year old daughter did not get to eat her birthday cake and Wendy's food Thursday night.

Martinez, her daughter, 19 year old Pamela Fernandez and two other children were rear ended in their Chevy Z71 in front of The Southwest Times office by a Lincoln Town Car driven by Eliana Yañez. Both Martinez' daughter and Fernandez were examined for head injuries.

City of Liberal emergency responders tend to Pamela Fernandez for injuries sustained to her head Thursday evening in front of The Southwest Times’ office. Fernandez was in a Chevy Z71 that was rear-ended by a driver who was cited for inattentive driving. Photo by Tony Hernandez

"She was on her phone and not paying attention and hit me," Martinez said.
Fernandez was unresponsive to paramedics and unaware of her surroundings, Martinez said. After the collision, Martinez said she noticed Yañez, 18, was texting on her cell.

With her supportive family beside her, a tearful Yañez vehemently denied using her phone while driving.

"It wasn't on purpose and they kept on accusing me that I was on my phone and I wasn't on my phone," she said. "I can prove that. It was impossible for me to break."

Liberal Police Officer Bryan Flohr investigated the accident and could not conclude that Yañez was texting and driving.

"I can't confirm (she was texting) but it looked like the driver of the car was not paying attention," Flohr said.

Yañez was cited for inattentive driving. Fernandez was taken to the Southwest Medical Center.

© 2008 Southwest Times