Former Washington Mayor Judy Jennette and husband Jerry narrowly escaped major injury in a two-car collision Saturday evening.

The accident occurred at Douglas Crossroads when a minivan travelling on N.C. Highway 32 ran the stop sign and collided with the Jennettes’ Honda Del Sol. Judy Jennette is unable to remember the accident, but shared that Jerry Jennette believes the minivan’s driver was travelling close to the speed limit when the two cars collided.

“All I know is that another two feet and I would be dead,” said Judy Jennette, adding that the other vehicle hit the front panel of the car right in front of where she was sitting in the passenger seat.

The Jennettes were transported to Vidant Beaufort Hospital with minor injuries.

“In one regard, we were lucky,” said Judy Jennette. “We were right beside Bunyan Fire Department and they were great. We got immediate care, so that was really good.”

The minivan belonged to the mother of its driver. There is some confusion as to whether the woman was an unlicensed driver, according to Judy Jennette, or whether she didn’t have a license on her person at the time of the accident. The N.C. State Highway Patrol trooper at the scene of the accident was unavailable for comment.

Judy Jennette served on the Washington City Council for sixteen years. In 2005, she was elected mayor and served one term in that office. She is the director of public relations at Beaufort County Community College and the executive director of the school’s foundation.