Two crashes, two deaths
Motorcyclist, teen die over the weekend in Claxton
A 43-year-old Knoxville woman and a teenager were killed Saturday, May 22, in separate traffic crashes in the Claxton community.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol said that Sarah Thompson was killed when the 2019 Harley-Davidson she was riding crossed the double-yellow line near the intersection of Lonesome Dove Road, and struck a 2014 Ford F-150 pickup truck driven by Edwin Bush, 54, of Clinton.
Thompson was wearing a helmet, the THP report stated. Bush was not injured.
Thompson was traveling southbound on U.S. 25W at the time of the crash.
The crash occurred at about 6 p.m. Saturday
Details of the separate crash that killed a Knoxville teenager have not been released.
According to the THP, that crash occurred on New Henderson Road at Henderson Bend Road either late Friday night or early Saturday.
It is still under criminal investigation by THP and no other information has been released.
Hardin Valley Academy Executive Principal Rob Speas identified the teen as Maddie Percell, a senior at the school. Hardin Valley Academy is scheduled to hold commencement exercises on June 2.
Anderson County District Attorney General Dave Clark posted on Facebook about 11:30 a.m. Saturday, about the crash involving the teen.
“We had a graduation season tragedy last night,” he said. “It appears some young folks were celebrating in Knox County. Whether they were served alcohol at a commercial establishment is being investigated. Unfortunately it appears that eight were riding in a single pickup truck that crashed in the Claxton area. Some may have been riding in the bed of the truck.
“One young person lost their life and two more have been seriously injured. Others appear to be injured less severely. It is heartbreaking to see this scenario repeated too often at this time of year.
“EDIT: This should not be interpreted to mean that the young people came from any particular student body. It is believed that at least a majority of those involved were Knox County residents. The wreck occurred in Anderson County.”
