SUMMERDALE, Ala. — A local woman is in a Pensacola hospital being treated for injuries sustained in a four-vehicle crash that occurred Thursday at approximately 1 p.m.

Patricia Wilson Wilkes, 50, was airlifted from the scene and taken to Baptist Hospital in Pensacola, according to Police Chief Dwain Riebeling on Friday morning.

Riebeling said Wilkes is on a “breathing machine” and has broken ribs, a punctured lung and other injuries resulting from what was essentially a series of crashes on Ala. Highway 59 at Engel Drive.

While Riebeling said much is yet to be determined concerning how the crashes occurred, he said Wilkes was northbound on Highway 59 when she crossed the center line of the northbound lanes and struck a northbound car beside her.

Wilkes apparently “overreacted” after striking the vehicle, Riebeling said, and lost control of her vehicle and went into southbound traffic. A vehicle southbound in the inside lane broadsided Wilkes’ vehicle at that point, while a southbound vehicle in the outside lane struck the front of her vehicle and caused Wilkes to flip.

Riebeling said this is the third crash of the year in town where a vehicle has been totally destroyed without a fatality resulting.

Wilkes’ driver’s license has a Fairhope address but Riebeling said she apparently lives on Baldwin County Road 83 in Robertsdale at present.

April Kelson of Bay Minette, whose age is unknown, was taken to USA Medical for treatment of injuries she received during the crash. Her condition is unknown.

Traffic along 59 was stopped for approximately one hour, Riebeling said. Authorities eventually re-routed southbound traffic onto County Road 71. In the aftermath of the crash, Riebeling said an 18-wheeler trying to turn and maneuver in the congestion caused by the crash had its rear wheels get stuck in a ditch. Also, a Summerdale officer driving on the right of way with his emergency lights on was “broadsided” by a car that turned into him near the Church of Christ entrance.

“It was a mess yesterday afternoon,” Riebeling said.