Clinton woman dies after two vehicles hit her on Clinton Highway

 

Note: This story was last updated at 9:40 a.m.

CLINTON—A Clinton woman walking on Clinton Highway died after two vehicles hit her Sunday evening, authorities said.

Patricia A. Rouse, 50, was walking in the right-hand southbound lane, headed toward Knoxville, when she was hit by two southbound vehicles at about 7:33 p.m. Sunday, the Tennessee Highway Patrol said.

Rouse died at the scene, the THP said. She was apparently walking home, authorities said.

The drivers of the two vehicles were not injured, the THP said. No criminal charges or citations were issued.

A THP fatal accident report said the first vehicle, a 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer, was driven by Amanda C. St. Onge, 20, of Powell.

The second vehicle, a 2000 Volkswagen Beetle, was driven by Richard E. Caudle III, 66, of Knoxville, the THP said.

The Beetle driven by Caudle was behind the Lancer driven by St. Onge. Rouse was hit by the Lancer and then the Beetle, the THP said.

The THP said both St. Onge and Caudle were wearing seat belts. Alcohol and drug use are not suspected, although tests have been requested, which is routine in fatal crashes.

Rouse had been drinking, according to the THP. Alcohol and drug tests have also been requested for her.

A short, curvy section of four-lane Clinton Highway was closed for about six hours between East and West Wolf Valley roads in Claxton and Hiway Drive in south Clinton as the THP investigated the crash. The road re-opened at about 1:40 a.m. Monday.

The Clinton police and fire departments responded because the accident was initially thought to be inside the city, but emergency workers found it to be just outside the city limits, said Mark Lucas, Anderson County Sheriff’s Department chief deputy.

Sheriff’s Department deputies responded along with the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

A critical incident response team and criminal investigators from the Tennessee Highway Patrol responded. So did a Knox County medical examiner.

Anderson County EMS, Anderson County Rescue Squad, and the Claxton Fire Department also responded. The Oak Ridge Fire Department brought trucks to provide lighting as the THP investigated the crash.

The crash was investigated by THP Trooper Stephen Barclay.

The crash occurred in the section of Clinton Highway between Hiway Drive and East and Wolf Valley Road shown in the map below.

More information will be added as it becomes available.

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