Tennessee Patrol suspects impairment in fatal car accidents

A second victim of a recent crash has passed away following a fatal head-on collision in Tennessee. All four of the people involved were injured, three of whom were taken to the Tennessee Medical center in Knoxville. The exact cause of the crash was still undetermined at the time of this report. However, routine blood analyses are underway to determine if impairment was a leading factor in the series of car accidents.

Three vehicles were involved in the afternoon accident. A man from the Marlow community who was driving a Toyota 4-Runner reportedly crossed the center lane into on-coming traffic, where he struck a Hyundai Elantra containing two female passengers. The impact drove both vehicles into the direct path of a Chevrolet truck that was following the Elantra.

Efforts to avoid the collision were futile for the man driving the Chevrolet pickup. He slammed into the wreckage and suffered non life-threatening injuries. Both women in the Elantra have now passed away from their injuries, potentially leaving family and friends to mourn their losses. At last report, the current condition of the driver of the Toyota 4-Runner was not known.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol routinely submits blood samples to a forensics lab for analysis whenever impairment is suspected in car accidents. The families of the victims may like to know why this accident occurred and what criminal charges may be applied if any driver is found to have been negligent in some way. The man driving the Chevrolet pickup truck may also be entitled to compensation for suffering injuries from the accident for medical bills or loss of income.

Source: oakridger.com, “Three-vehicle crash claims second victim,” Beverly Majors, Nov. 12, 2012