(Smith County Insider Press) Gordonsville, Tenn. – On Tuesday, June 14, the Smith County Sheriff’s Department received a BOLO (Be On Look Out) for an elderly lady that had supposedly been traveling to a 10:00 a.m. doctor’s appointment and did not arrive. Family members became concerned and asked the Sheriff’s Department to assist searching for her. Hours passed by and the search continued.
Later that night around 9:30 p.m., family members noticed two tire marks down a grass embankment across from the entrance to her doctor’s office on JMZ Drive in Gordonsville. After following the tracks down the 230 ft. embankment, family members found the missing lady, Pauline Elrod, 65, of Buffalo Valley. Elrod was driving a 2004 Ford Ranger and her vehicle could not be seen from the roadway (JMZ Drive).
According to the police report, Elrod stated that when she arrived at the doctor’s office parking lot, she could not get her truck to stop, at which time it rolled across JMZ Drive and down the 230 ft. embankment. Her truck came to a final rest after striking a tree, preventing her vehicle from entering the creek. Elrod did not have a cell phone to contact help, so she was trapped in her vehicle for over 10 hours. The temperature on Tuesday was 90°.
Elrod was rescued from her truck and treated for injuries.
The Smith County Sheriff’s Department, Gordonsville Police, Gordonsville Fire Department, Smith County EMS, Smith County Rescue Squad, and Smith County First Responders were dispatched to the scene to assist with the rescue.
M&W Towing recovered the vehicle from the 230 ft. embankment.
