James Smithey, Jr., age 55, was driving his three grandchildren to school when he swerved to miss a car driving erratically. He was thrown from the vehicle and killed.MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – The person killed in a Rutherford County crash involving suspected road rage has been identified. Police said the victim has been identified as 55-year-old James Smithey, Jr. from Murfreesboro.
Family members said Smithey was driving his three grandchildren to school Friday morning before 7 a.m. when the crash happened.
He was driving a pickup northbound on N.W. Broad Street in Murfreesboro when some kind of road rage incident occurred.
Witnesses reported seeing an "Oldsmobile type car" driving erratically alongside the truck, possibly engaged in some kind of road rage incident.
Investigators said the truck swerved to avoid hitting the white vehicle and veered off the road before crossing into southbound lanes. The truck rolled several times.
Smithey was ejected from the truck and was pronounced dead at the scene. Family members said he was a stomach cancer survivor and was in remission. He was not wearing a seat belt under doctor's orders because of his medical history.
His three grandchildren were all transported to Middle Tennessee Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries. Their ages were not available.
N.W. Broad Street was closed while investigators processed the scene.
Officials said the white vehicle left the scene. A car matching its description was reportedly seen driving into the Nissan plant entrance at Gate 12 in Smyrna.
Police were investigating to determine if the vehicle was the same car witnesses reported driving erratically on N.W. Broad Street.
A memorial fund has been set up in Smithey's name. Anyone wishing to contribue can make a donation to any Fifth Third Bank, under the James Smithey Jr. Memorial Fund.
Anyone with information about the crash should call the Murfreesboro Police Department at 615-890-1311 or Murfreesboro Crime Stoppers at 615-893-7867.
