September 5, 2019
By: Dwayne Page
Three adults and seven children were injured in a two vehicle crash Wednesday night at the intersection of Highway 56 south and Joe Tittsworth Road in Smithville.
Central dispatch received the call at 8:03 p.m.
According to Trooper Bobby Johnson of the Tennessee Highway Patrol 52 year old Franklin Elliott of Smithville was driving north on Highway 56 in a 2005 Chrysler Town and Country minivan when he turned left onto Joe Tittsworth Road and crossed the path of a southbound 2016 Kia Soul driven by 37 year old Margaret Pedigo of McMinnville. The Kia did not have its headlights on at the time.
Elliott and passenger 34 year old Jessica Farris of Smithville were taken by private vehicle to Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital. Four children in the vehicle with them including a 14 year old girl, 16 year old boy, 8 year old girl, and a 12 year old boy were also injured and taken to the hospital by ambulances.
Three children were in the vehicle with Pedigo including a 13 year old boy, 9 year old boy, and 12 year old boy. Pedigo and two of the children were airlifted to Vanderbilt Hospital and the other was taken by EMS to Cookeville Regional Medical Center where he was airlifted.
A landing zone for three helicopters was set up on Highway 56 near the crash scene. DeKalb EMS responded with four ambulances and received mutual aid support from Putnam County EMS which sent two ambulances.
No charges or citations have been filed.