May 6, 2024
By: Dwayne Page
An 18-year-old motorcycle operator was airlifted Friday after a crash on West Broad Street in front of Larry’s Discount Grocery.
According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Taylor Peery was on a 1998 Suzuki JS1 motorcycle traveling east at a high rate of speed in the left lane of Highway 70 when the bike struck a 2011 Ford Ranger pickup, driven by 76-year-old John Rigsby, who was pulling out of Larry’s Grocery turning west onto Highway 70.
After the motorcycle hit the front side of the truck, Peery was thrown over the hood of the pickup and came to rest in the roadway. Peery, wearing a helmet, was injured and taken by DeKalb EMS to the hospital then airlifted to Vanderbilt Hospital. Rigsby, wearing his seatbelt, was not hurt. Charges are pending the outcome of the investigation.
In addition to the THP and DeKalb EMS, members of the Smithville Police and Fire Departments were also on the scene.