Note: This story was updated at 2 a.m. Dec. 4.
A Knoxville man died after a head-on collision on Andersonville Highway on Friday night, authorities said.
James D. Gunter, 56, was driving east on the highway, also known as State Route 61, in a 2006 Chevrolet Corvette at about 9:39 p.m. Friday when he crossed the yellow line to pass another vehicle and hit a 2006 Toyota 4Runner head-on in the westbound lane, according to the Tennessee Highway Patrol.
Gunter was killed, the THP said in a fatality report.
Gunter is suspected of drinking and drug use, according to the report. Alcohol and drug tests have been requested, which is routine in fatal crashes.
The driver of the Toyota 4Runner, John B. Taylor, 65, of Andersonville, was injured, the THP said.
Neither driver was wearing a seat belt, and they would have made a difference, according to the fatality report.
The fatal crash was reported at 4647 Andersonville Highway near a boat storage facility and the Union County line. One vehicle was on fire and the driver had been pulled from the car by other motorists, while the driver of the other vehicle was trapped and had to be extricated by fire and rescue personnel, said Mark Lucas, Anderson County Sheriff’s Department chief deputy. Two Lifestar medical helicopters were called to the scene, and both drivers were taken to the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville, where one later died, Lucas said.
Besides the THP, other agencies that responded included the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department, Anderson County EMS, Anderson County Rescue Squad, and Andersonville Fire Department—in addition to the two Lifestar air ambulances. The roadway was closed for more than three hours while the crash was investigated, Lucas said.
The crash was investigated by THP Trooper Steven Ward.
More information will be added as it becomes available.
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