PADUCAH, KY - A Mayfield woman has lost her left arm after she was injured in a three-vehicle accident late Thursday morning on US 45.

The McCracken County Sheriff's Department says that 58-year-old Laura Willis of Mayfield was driving west on Lebanon Church Road, approaching US highway 45. She traveled cross all four lanes of the highway in anticipation of turning onto Lovelaceville Florence Station Road West.

Willis apparently did not see oncoming traffic and turned into to the path of a southbound vehicle driven by 57-year-old Daniel W. Donaldson of Paducah. Police say that as Donaldson approached the intersection, Willis turned in front of his vehicle. Donaldson attemtped to stop but was unable to avoid striking her van. 

The collision caused the Willis vehicle to spin, overturn onto its roof, and slide along Lovelaceville Florence Station Road. Sadly, Laura Willis' left arm was outside the window during the crash. It became trapped between her van and the asphalt, and was amputated. 

Following the initial collision, a third vehicle was struck as it was stopped and facing east at the intersection of Lovelaceville Florence Station Road West and US 45. This vehicle was driven by 51-year-old Calvin N. Jones of Brookport, Illinois.

It was at this time that a witness to the collision stopped to assist those involved. Officers say 60-year-old Wayne Beyer of Paducah administered first aid to Laura Willis by using his belt as a tourniquet to stop the bleeding from the loss of her arm.

Donaldson and Jones were uninjured in the accident.

Police say Beyer's actions may have saved Ms. Willis' life.