NEW MIDDLETON, Tenn. — One child was killed and three others were injured after a crash on I-40 in Smith County Tuesday morning.
Two adults and two children from North Carolina were in a Subaru SUV headed west on I-40 around 11:40 a.m. when the SUV ran off the right side of the road near mile marker 251, according to Tennessee Highway Patrol.
The SUV went into the ditch line, struck an embankment and overturned. The two children, ages 10 and 11, were ejected from the vehicle during the crash and thrown onto the highway. The unidentified 11-year-old died after he was struck by a tractor-trailer, says THP.
The 10-year-old child and two adult passengers were all injured in the crash as well, but the extent of each of their injuries is unknown.
Charges are pending for the 36-year-old driver of the SUV, who was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash, according to THP. Neither of the children wore a seatbelt, and it is unknown if the adult male passenger was wearing a seatbelt.
Here’s a beautiful story of how one mother turned her grief journey into a gathering of gratitude… and organ donation awareness.
Robb Coles highlights a special event organized by Cari Hollis – whose 26-year old son Austin died two years ago. Austin agreed to be an organ donor – and that single gesture saved multiple lives.
Cari reached out to as many recipients she could find – several of whom traveled to Nashville for an emotional celebration in Austin’s honor. One woman – whose life was saved by receiving Austin’s lungs – put it simply: “He’s my angel”.
- Rhori Johnston
