Minor Collision Leaves One Injured

One man was treated for minor injuries after a two-vehicle collision near the intersection of Canal Street and Barton Road Wednesday, Feb. 4. San Bernardino County Sheriff's deputies and San Bernardino County fire personnel responded to the crash involving a red Nissan Altima and a gray Honda Civic that afternoon. Capt. Jon Garber of San Bernardino County Fire explained the collision may have occurred after the Honda, containing a single driver, made a turn into a nearby parking lot, possibly in front of the red Nissan, containing a driver and passenger. "The grey Honda was coming up Barton to turn into the parking lot. The red Nissan was heading westbound down(Barton Road). The grey car possibly turned in front of the red car, and they collided," Garber said. Both vehicles sustained damage to their front ends and were towed at the site, which was scattered with glass and shrapnel. Officials did not give the identities of the individuals involved in the crash but shared the male driver of the Nissan was later treated at Loma Linda Medical Center for rib pain. San Bernardino County officer Kevin Larson said, “Of the three individuals involved, only the one male driver of the red Nissan suffered from standard airbag injuries and needed to be taken to the hospital.” The other two involved in the collision - the driver of the Honda and the passenger of the Nissan - did not report any injuries, officials added. [END] On site, there is glass and shrapnel on the road, three San Bernardino County Fire Fighters, & County of San Bernardino Sheriff's Department. Fire fighters sweeping up glass and debris. Sheriff talking to the driver of the grey car. The grey car still in the middle of the suicide lane in the middle of the road (later drove it off to the side of the road in front of the red car). Red car was empty with front end damage; neither driver nor passenger remained at the scene. No onlookers standing around the accident site, just people looking in passing. Two cars were involved in the accident at Canal and Barton - a red Nissan Altima (which carried two people) and a grey Honda Civic DX (which had only the driver). The driver of the Red Nissan suffered from air bag injuries and was sent to Loma Linda Hospital for treatment; the other two people involved in the accident were unharmed if a little shaken up. Fire fighter on scene, Jon Garber of SB County Fire (Captain, Medic Engine 23) stated, “Two people were in the Red Nissan (driver and passenger), driver (male) was complaining of left rib pain; he was taken to Loma Linda Hospital.” “I haven't spoken to the male driver of the Grey Honda (who is wearing the black hat and walking around)." “The grey Honda was coming up Barton to turn into the parking lot. The red Nissan was heading westbound down the street (Barton Rd.). The grey car possibly turned in front of the red car and they collided. Both vehicles will need to be towed away from the site.” Officer on site, Kevin Larson a SB County Sheriff stated, while filling out his notes, “Yes, of the three individuals involved, only the one male driver of the red Nissan suffered from standard airbag injuries and needed to be taken to the hospital.” It could have been worse. Notes: Headline: Make it catchy! :) Accidents always get people's attention, unfortunately. This could read something like "One Treated in Afternoon Crash on Barton" or something like that. Lead: The lead (your opening sentence) in a breaking news/incidental news article like this one should summarize, generally, the incident. Straight and to the point is usually the style you want to lead with in an article of this sort. This includes critical details like what happened, where and when. The use of detail about the scene here is good - it paints a picture and these details can definitely be used throughout the article to paint the scene (make sure that details do not sway the story, however. You always want to remember to be neutral). Body: After your lead, follow an "upside down-triangle" form of writing to give additional details. The most important details should be given first and then other details - not as detrimental to the story - may be provided. Once again it's imperative that we remain neutral. If there is no proof about a series of events, we want to make sure we are not presenting theory/conjecture as fact. Always contribute details and facts to whomever provided them to you. Make sure to (try) to get all sides of the story. If one will not comment, you can say that they declined to give commentary. You did great in getting quotes from responders on scene as to the series of events and attempting to make contact with the individuals in the crash (a lot of times it's hard to get information from them, as there are many factors going on - being shaken up, not wanting to 'incriminate' themselves, etc). End: As stated before, details not necessarily detrimental to the story are typically found at the end of an article. This can be a quote, contact information for individuals with more information on an incident/case, etc. A sample write up: One man was treated for minor injuries after a two-vehicle collision near the intersection of Canal Street and Barton Road Thursday, Feb. 5. [NOTE: The Lead includes information about the drivers. Injuries and/or deaths, unfortunately, are critical details in articles of this sort. The lead also includes the number of vehicles involved, where it happened and when it happened.] San Bernardino County Sheriff's deputies and San Bernardino County fire personnel responded to the crash involving a red Nissan Altima and a gray Honda Civic that afternoon. Capt. Jon Garber of San Bernardino County Fire explained the collision may have occurred after the Honda, containing a single driver, made a turn into a nearby parking lot, possibly in front of the red Nissan, containing a driver and passenger. "The grey Honda was coming up Barton to turn into the parking lot. The red Nissan was heading westbound down(Barton Road). The grey car possibly turned in front of the red car, and they collided," Garber said. [Note: The Body includes information on who responded, details about the actual vehicles and their passengers, as well as a summary and then a backup quote by a first-responder at the scene about what MAY have happened. Because there is no proof, everything at this point is only alleged.] Both vehicles sustained damage to their front ends and were towed at the site, which was scattered with glass and shrapnel. [Note: The Body includes more details here, helping paint the scene.] Officials did not give the identities of the individuals involved in the crash but shared the male driver of the Nissan was later treated at Loma Linda Medical Center for rib pain. San Bernardino County officer Kevin Larson said, “Of the three individuals involved, only the one male driver of the red Nissan suffered from standard airbag injuries and needed to be taken to the hospital.” [NOTE: The Body also includes information on the types of injuries sustained and by whom, along with a supporting quote from another first-responder at the scene to verify this information.] The other two involved in the collision - the driver of the Honda and the passenger of the Nissan - did not report any injuries, officials added. [Note: Your END includes follow up information on the others involved in the crash who were not injured and this is verified by information given by responders on scene. Also, if you are aware that the accident is still being investigated and by whom, you may leave this information at the end, as well.]