BREAKING NEWS: PC woman killed in wreck
By Staff
Melissa Cason
A Phil Campbell woman died Tuesday morning, shortly after losing control of her vehicle on U.S. 43 just south of Cedar Creek subdivision.
Jeanine C. Harris, 20, of Phil Campbell, died due to injuries sustained in a car accident, according to officials with the Quad Cities State Trooper Post.
Harris was the lone occupant of a 1999 Mitsubishi Galant that left the
northbound lane of U.S. 43 just before 8 a.m. The vehicle struck a tree after leaving the road, officials said.
"The accident occurred at approximately 7:59 a.m. two miles south of
Russellville on Highway 43," officials said.
"The cause of the accident is still under investigation."
In addition to troopers, officials from the Russellville Police Department, Russellville Fire Department, the Franklin County Sheriff's Department and Pleasant Bay Paramedic Services were on the scene.
Harris was transported to Russellville Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Store Clerk Lisa Murr made the 911 call Tuesday morning.
"I was working in the store and someone came in and said there's been an accident so I called 911," Murr said.
Murr said the accident appeared to have been caused by an icy bridge.
Icy bridges and roads caused several other accidents in the area Tuesday morning.
Russellville Police Capt. Shannon Oliver said the department responded to 15 calls Tuesday morning, and nine reports were filed due to icy roads.
Harris attended Belgreen School, where she was a basketball manager, before later graduating from Cherokee High School.
"She was a very likeable young lady," said Russellville girls' basketball coach James Bostick, who was the head coach at Belgreen when Harris was in school there.
"She was outgoing and a really nice young lady to be around. She was very energetic."
Bostick coached Harris' sister and said both were outstanding kids growing up.
"I just hate that this happened," he said. "It's tragic for this to happen to any young person. I saw her not too long ago and she was still the same Jeanine.
"She was very happy and enjoying life, and that's how I picture her."
Officials said that there have been 11 traffic fatalities in the county this year.
