The Tennessee Highway Patrol investigated two separate traffic accidents Monday night on Highway 83 (Allen Ferry Road)
In the first accident, Trooper Johnny Farley of the Tennessee Highway Patrol says 25 year old Michael P. Clayborn was driving east in a 1997 Cadillac Deville when he crossed the centerline of the road and struck a westbound 2005 Ford Tauras, driven by 59 year old Mary K. Chapman.
Chapman was transported to DeKalb Hospital by DeKalb EMS while Clayborn was taken to the hospital by a private vehicle.
Trooper Farley says Clayborn was cited for a seat belt violation, driving on an expired license, violation of the financial responsibility law, and violation of the drive right lane except to pass law.
In the second accident, Trooper Farley says 51 year old Randy Campbell was traveling east on Highway 83 in his tow truck, enroute to the scene of the first wreck, when a 1999 Chevy Suburban, driven by 36 year old Robert R. Atnip Jr. pulled out in front of him from Holmes Creek Road.
According to Trooper Farley, Atnip failed to stop at the stop sign posted at the intersection of Holmes Creek Road and Highway 83 and pulled in front of the tow truck, causing Campbell’s truck to crash into the driver side door of Atnip’s Suburban.
Trooper Farley says the Suburban, upon impact, overturned and went off the westbound shoulder of the road, coming to rest against some trees.
The tow truck spun around, took out a fence, and came to rest off the west bound shoulder of the road.
Campbell, who was ejected, suffered only minor injuries and refused medical treatment at the scene.
Atnip was extricated from his vehicle by the Smithville Volunteer Fire Department and airlifted from near the scene by a Life Flight helicopter ambulance and flown to Vanderbilt University Medical Center to be treated for non-life threatening injuries.
In addition to Trooper Farley, DeKalb EMS, and the Smithville Volunteer Fire Department, others rendering assistance were members of the DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department’s Cookeville Station, and officers of the Smithville Police and DeKalb County Sheriff’s Departments.