By CINDY BISHOP

cindy.bishop@gaflnews.com

CORDELE — Three people and a puppy involved in a Monday afternoon wreck here miraculously escaped serious injury even though their vehicle was crushed like a tin can and huge chunks of wood plowed through their SUV’s windshield.

Bud Hutchins, 22, of 265 Smokehouse Road, 22-year-old Jeanie Barton of the same address and 16-year-old William Ridley of Vienna were involved in the wreck which occurred shortly before 1:30 p.m.

Hutchins was the driver of a southbound Ford Explorer that struck a mobile home being transported by a semi in the curve just north of Farmers Market Road on Highway 257.

Because of its wide load, the semi, driven by 52-year-old Dwane McCalvin of Albany, had crossed over the centerline in the roadway.

As Hutchins rounded the curve, he saw the mobile home headed his way and locked the brakes down on his vehicle to avoid a collision. Instead, the Explorer struck the back side of the mobile home, rending a hole in the trailer from one end to the other.

Debris from the trailer was scattered all over the highway and huge chunks of wood from the mobile home impaled the SUV’s windshield.

One piece of wood actually missed Hutchins’ head by inches. Miraculously, Trooper Duane Massey said, he only complained with a leg injury.

Crisp County EMS responded and transported Hutchins, Barton and Ridley to Crisp Regional Hospital for treatment. Both Barton and Ridley were treated and released. Hutchins was transferred to Palmyra Medical Center where he was listed in good condition Tuesday.

The small puppy the trio had with them was taken by Crisp County Animal Control Officer Jennifer Butterworth to the sheriff’s office for safe-keeping until he could be picked up by his owners.