A 34 year old man was seriously injured in a Friday afternoon crash on Highway 70 just east of the VFW Club.
The accident occurred around 12:55 p.m.
Scott Cory Harris of Cathcart Road, Dowelltown was transported by DeKalb EMS to the Midway community fire station, where he was picked up by a helicopter ambulance and flown to Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga.
Trooper Allen England of the Tennessee Highway Patrol said Harris was traveling west in a 1997 Nissan pickup truck and failed to maintain his lane of travel, crossed the center line in a curve, and made opposite direction sideswipe impact with an eastbound 2004 Kenworth straight box truck, driven by 35 year old David Emery Pippin of Cookeville. Pippin was driving for the J.R. “Buddy” Gaw Produce Company in Cookeville. There was no cargo on board.
According to Trooper England, the box truck broke into three sections. The rear axle dislodged and went to the southside of the roadway, while the cargo box came off the chassis and landed upside down. The truck chassis and cargo box came to rest across the highway, blocking traffic for about two hours. Motorists who came upon the scene from both directions had to be re-routed.
Harris’ truck came to a stop in a ditchline on the northside of the highway.
Members of the Short Mountain Highway and Midway fire stations and the DeKalb County Fire Department Extrication Team responded. Smithville Fire Chief Charlie Parker also rendered assistance and Sheriff’s department deputies were there. Harris had to be extricated from his truck. Pippin was not injured.
Harris also had two dogs in the truck cab with him. One of the dogs ran off after the wreck. The other was seriously injured and taken to the vet. Reports say the dog later died.
Trooper England said according to witnesses, Harris may have been going too fast, contributing to the crash. The roadway was also wet at the time. Charges are pending.
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