Jefferson authorities responded to two accidents Thursday afternoon and early evening. The first resulted in about $5,000 of damage to each vehicle. At approximately 2:54 p.m., a 2003 Pontiac Bonneville, driven by Phyllis Staebler of Jefferson, was southbound on North Elm Street and attempted to merge into the inside lane. A 2010 Ford Econoline van, driven by Alexis Hooper of Grand Junction, was already occupying the lane and was struck by the Bonneville. Staebler was cited for failure to maintain control. Officers responded to the second incident at around 4:06 p.m. at North Maple and Clark Streets. A 1993 Chevrolet S-10, driven by Justin Giesler of Scranton, was northbound on Maple. At the intersection, he was struck by an eastbound 2017 Ford Escape, driven by Debra Taggart of Scranton. There was a reported $10,000 in damage to the Geisler vehicle and $15,000 to Taggart’s Escape. Taggart was cited for failure to yield to a vehicle on the right.
