BUDE &045;&045; Two Franklin County sheriff’s deputies and two other drivers were treated and released from a local hospital following a four-vehicle accident late Saturday afternoon.

Deputies John Blackwell and Cedric Middleton were eating at a local restaurant with Public Service Commission employee Otis Dyer when they heard a state trooper call for backup in Roxie.

As the three were driving along U.S. 98 to U.S. 84, the first vehicle, driven by Blackwell, stopped behind a Ford Bronco that was apparently attempting to making a turn, said Franklin County Sheriff James Newman.

When the vehicles being driven by Middleton and Dyer topped the hill behind Blackwell’s vehicle, Middleton’s vehicle hit the back of Blackwell’s vehicle.

That caused Blackwell’s car to hit the Bronco and force it off the highway.

Dyer’s vehicle then hit Middleton’s vehicle.

The name of the Bronco’s driver was not available as of Sunday.

The men had only minor injuries but were taken to Franklin County Hospital.

That was done &uot;just in case, and they were treated and released,&uot; Newman said Sunday.

As far as the vehicles themselves are concerned, &uot;one (deputy’s vehicle) is totaled, and the other may be,&uot; Newman said.

Coincidentally, Blackwell’s vehicle was just sent off to be fixed due to a recall.

&uot;A few of the police models across the country were being recalled because they would explode when they were hit from behind,&uot; Newman said.