PRESTON –  Two vehicles collided at high speeds when one failed to yield the right of way, causing three people to be taken by ambulance to hospitals and one to be air lifted. The accident happened Wednesday evening on state Route 220 in the Town of Preston. The Chenango County Sheriff’s Department, with assistance from Superior Ambulance, the Oxford and Norwich Fire Departments, responded to the accident.

A vehicle operated by Lonnie J. Smith, 67, Griffin Road, Preston, pulled onto state Route 220 from Griffin Road, allegedly failing to yield the right of way to another vehicle traveling along state Route 220. Smith had a passenger at the time of the crash. The second vehicle was driven by Sylvia E. Barrows, 44, County Route 7, McDonough, who also had a passenger.

Smith was taken to Chenango Memorial Hospital and treated for chest pains; his passenger was also taken there and treated for leg injuries. Barrows received more serious wounds and was “transported to Wilson Memorial with serious chest and leg injuries,” said police. Barrows’ passenger was rushed by helicopter to Upstate Medical, but police did not release the specifics about the injuries.