An accident on U.S. Highway 278 East Monday afternoon stalled traffic in both directions near St. Bernard Abbey and sent two passengers to the hospital.

The two-vehicle accident occurred at approximately 4:45 p.m., slowing traffic to a near-standstill for more than an hour. 

As the backup worsened, officers with the Cullman Police Department eventually set up a detour, diverting eastbound traffic at the intersection of Highway 278 and Convent Road.

The wreck occurred just east of the Eightmile Creek bridge, in the four-lane area of the highway in front of the Dollar General store.

Cullman Police Sgt. Scott Sanford, who worked the scene, said an SUV heading west attempted to turn off the highway and into the Dollar General parking lot, but collided with an eastbound SUV. 

“The collision caused the eastbound vehicle to veer off roadway, go up a slight embankment, and roll over,” said Sanford.

Sanford said two occupants, whose names were not available late Monday, were transported to CRMC with non-life threatening injuries.