When weather conditions deteriorate, it’s especially important to stay focused on driving, to slow down and to pay attention. When drivers don’t, there can be fatal consequences. A recent fatal car accident in Nashville may be a good example.
An 18-year-old man and his friend, both recent graduates of Jefferson County High School, were apparently headed east in a Honda Accord on Interstate 40 near Asheville Highway late one night last week. It was raining heavily, and it appears the driver lost control of the vehicle.
The car apparently flipped over onto its side and crossed over the median into the westbound lanes of the highway, where it smacked into a Chevrolet pickup truck. The 18-year-old men were both killed, while the driver of the pickup suffered life-threatening injuries. The 49-year-old man, who is reportedly from Georgia, was treated at UT Medical Center, according to WBIR’s website. No other information was released regarding his condition.
The wreck was so bad that the interstate was closed down for several hours. Investigators apparently were not able to determine if the men were wearing seatbelts, or if speed could have been a factor in the tragic crash.
The accident not only caused the two teens their lives, but put the truck driver’s life at risk. His recovery will likely involve facing large medical bills and insurance claims, which can be difficult for anyone to deal with.
Please drive safely, and remember that merely slowing down and paying attention can save lives.
Source: WBIR, “Teens killed in car crash remembered as ‘outstanding young men’,” Brian Barger, Oct. 20, 2011