A multi-car wreck at the intersection of U.S. 27 and Ga. 136 in LaFayette Wednesday morning left one driver injured, necessitating an emergency airlifting to Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga.

According to Georgia State Patrol report:

Three Jeeps traveling in three different directions struck each other when a northbound vehicle ran the red light crossing Ga. 136 and sent a westbound open-top jeep into a spin.

The driver of the open-top jeep was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the vehicle. The man, whose name has not yet been released, was estimated to be between 35 and 40 years old.

The spinning open-top jeep struck a third jeep, which was stopped at the red light headed southbound on U.S. 27, and continued to spin wildly. Seeing that the car was out of control, a Georgia State Patrol trooper who happened to be driving by purposefully placed his car in the open-top jeep’s path, effectively stopping it from hitting a transport van full of Lookout Mountain Community Service clients.

Jonathan Woodard was driving the Lookout Mountain Community Service van and saw the entire accident.

“The guy went airborne out of the jeep,” he said. “I threw my car over in the turning lane to get out of the way. I was going to get out and do CPR. I’m CPR certified.”

As the open-top jeep continued spinning, Woodard was forced to retreat back into the van, as the jeep was barreling toward his vehicle. The Georgia State Patrol officer who stopped the jeep saved his van and the consumers within, he said.

“He knew what he was doing when he sacrificed his car,” said Woodard. “It would have hurt a lot of people.”

Witnesses to the accident say that law enforcement response was immediate and effective, as dozens of officers and patrol cars of all departments quickly cordoned off the area and began directing traffic.

“They were here immediately,” said Patricia Rueping of LaFayette, who was driving the vehicle that had stopped at the red light and was subsequently struck by the spinning jeep. All vehicles involved in the accident sustained considerable damage.