An Oliver Springs man is facing charges, including driving under the influence, after a head-on collision injured three people in two vehicles on Highway 61 west of Oliver Springs late Friday afternoon. (Photo by Tom Scott)
OLIVER SPRINGS—An Oliver Springs man is facing charges, including driving under the influence, after a head-on collision injured three people in two vehicles on Highway 61 west of Oliver Springs late Friday afternoon, authorities said.
Ryan P. Price, 33, of Oliver Springs, will be charged with DUI, vehicular assault, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a firearm while under the influence, a due care violation, failure to maintain lane, violation of the financial responsibility law, and a failure to carry registration, according to the Tennessee Highway Patrol.
The THP said a 2003 Dodge Durango driven by Price was traveling east in the westbound lane on State Route 61 near Scandlyn Hollow Road in Roane County at about 4:55 p.m. Friday.
A 2014 Jeep Wrangler driven west by Rodger Mattox, 66, of Oliver Springs, was also in the westbound lane, which was its travel lane, the THP said.
Mattox tried to swerve to avoid hitting the Durango driven by Price, but he was unable to avoid the crash, the THP said.
The Durango driven by Price hit the Wrangler driven by Mattox in a head-on collision, the THP said.
Price was trapped in his vehicle. After he was extricated, he was taken to the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville for the treatment of two broken legs and other injuries, the Highway Patrol said.
Mattox was taken to Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge to be treated for a broken leg with three fractures.
Victoria Mattox, 34, of Barnsville, Georgia, was also injured in the crash, the THP said. Victoria Mattox was a passenger in the Wrangler driven by Rodger Mattox.
All three people were wearing seat belts, the THP report said.
The Blair Fire Department responded and requested mutual aid from the Oliver Springs Fire Department and the Roane County Rescue Squad to help extricate Price, photographer Tom Scott said. He said Price was taken to the UT Medical Center by an Anderson County Emergency Medical Services medic unit.
The Roane County Sheriff’s Office also responded, in addition to the THP. SR 61 is also known as Harriman Highway in Roane County.
More information will be added as it becomes available.
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