Two individuals were airlifted for treatment and another taken by EMS ground units to a local hospital for treatment following what was described as a serious accident at the intersection of Highway 9 and Highway 278 in Piedmont on Tuesday.

According to Piedmont Police Chief Freddie Norton, a 1998 White Mercury Mountaineer was traveling southbound on 9 at 278, the driver told officers he experienced brake failure and ran the red light.

That’s when a 2006 Silver Mercury G6 traveling eastbound on 278 struck the Mercury on the passenger side.

The male driver and a female passenger of the Mountaineer was transported to UAB by Air Evac Helicopters and the driver and only occupant of the G6 was transported to Gadsden Regional Medical Center by Piedmont Rescue Squad.

The Piedmont Police and Fire Department and Piedmont Rescue responded to the scene.