A major accident on the streets of downtown Washington sent two people to the hospital yesterday.

At about 1:38 p.m., a three-vehicle accident, involving two cars and a City of Washington garbage truck, occurred on East Second Street between Harvey and Bonner streets, leaving debris scattered throughout the street.

All vehicles involved in the crash were traveling west on the one-way East Second Street toward Bonner Street when one vehicle, a white Jeep Grand Cherokee, struck the back of a black Ford Mustang in the right-hand lane, then almost immediately after, struck the side of the garbage truck in the left lane, according to Lt. William Chrismon, spokesman for Washington Police Department.

The Jeep narrowly missed employees on the garbage truck, as well as a man taking his garbage out to be collected, according to witnesses.

Chrismon said the Jeep flipped several times after impact before coming to a rest more than 100 feet past the point of impact, at the corner of Bonner and East Second streets. The driver at fault was going a speed in excess of 25 mph, the posted speed limit, according to Chrismon.

Witness accounts vary — some said the driver was traveling around 60 mph, while others said his speed was closer to 80 mph.

“We believe there may have been medical complications that attributed to the accident,” Chrismon said.

Chrismon said there were no charges pending at the time of the interview.

“It was an extreme wreck, and we appreciate everyone’s cooperation in the area that allowed the EMS workers and other authorities to do their jobs,” Chrismon said. “It appears everyone is safe, but it looked really bad for a small residential street.”