September 25, 2018
By: Dwayne Page
Two teens suffered minor injuries in a two vehicle crash late Saturday night on Highway 56 south that also resulted in damage to headstones at DeKalb Cemetery.
According to Trooper Chris Meness of the Tennessee Highway Patrol, the accident occurred at around 11:46 p.m. as a 17 year old Smithville boy was driving south in a 2001 Chevy pickup truck. The axle failed and came apart from the truck causing the vehicle to cross into the northbound lane and sideswipe a 2005 Scion Coupe, driven by 22 year old Dennis McKinney of McMinnville. After impact, the truck continued into the ditch line and traveled into DeKalb Cemetery and came to final rest on top of grave stones. McKinney’s car spun around after impact and traveled through the ditchline and came to rest at the edge of Whorton Springs Cemetery. No grave stones were damaged there.
The teen driver of the truck and his 17 year old passenger of Smithville suffered minor injuries and were transported by EMS to St. Thomas DeKalb Hospital where they were treated and released. McKinney was not injured.
The truck driver is facing Juvenile charges for Conditional Driver’s License, (driving after curfew with an intermediate restricted license) and No Proof of insurance.
All were wearing their seatbelts.