Five hurt as car flips three times

FRONT ROYAL -- Five people were hospitalized on New Year's Eve after a blue, 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser flipped three times on U.S. 340-522 north of town, state police said.

Tammy Chaparro, 28, of Front Royal, was driving north in the PT Cruiser near Zion Church Road when a red Ford F-150 clipped the car, said Trooper R.L. Fiorvanti.

The collision pushed the PT Cruiser into the center median and across southbound traffic lanes, he said. It flipped three times before landing on its wheels at the far east shoulder.

Chaparro was traveling with four juvenile passengers, Fiorvanti said, but none suffered life-threatening injuries and they were expected to be treated and released from an area hospital.

One hour after the crash, the PT Cruiser was still at its resting place halfway in the woods with its headlights shining toward the highway. Its roof was smashed.

Southbound traffic was restricted to one lane until the car was towed away. The truck did not appear to be seriously damaged.

The driver of the truck, Allen Ritenour, 56, of Front Royal, was uninjured. He was charged with reckless driving, Fiorvanti said.

Fire and rescue crews from Front Royal and North Warren responded.