By DAVID COLBURN

News editor

A car rammed into the back of a flatbed truck-trailer at the county lake turnoff on K-256 on Tuesday, causing serious injuries to the driver of the car.

The westbound tractor-trailer was making a left turn from K-256 onto Upland Rd., toward the lake, when a 2011 Buick Regal driven by Raymond Martinez, 72, of Marion crashed into the trailer. The front end of the car, up to the passenger compartment, lodged underneath the flatbed.

The truck, driven by Larry Beck, 66, of Marion, turned onto Upland Rd. before stopping, dragging the car behind.

Marion firefighters used specialized lifts and blocks to raise the flatbed far enough to relieve pressure on the vehicle and allow them to remove Martinez.

Adverse weather conditions prevented Lifeteam and EagleMed helicopters from flying, so Marion ambulance took Martinez to St. Luke Hospital, where he was transferred to Hillsboro ambulance for transport to Wesley Medical Center. No information on his condition was available.