Child Airlifted After Two Vehicle Crash

A three year old child was airlifted after a two vehicle crash Monday afternoon on Highway 70 east near Turtle’s Bar & Grill.
Trooper Chris Delong of the Tennessee Highway Patrol told WJLE that 49 year old Joe Young of Smithville was traveling west on Highway 70 in a 1999 Ford F150 when he swerved to avoid a rear end collision with a vehicle that had stopped in front of him. As Young crossed into the eastbound lane he found himself in the path of an oncoming 2014 Toyota Prius, driven by 34 year old Virginia Kirby of Cookeville resulting in a head-on collision. Kirby’s three year old daughter was a passenger with her.
Kirby was taken by DeKalb EMS to St. Thomas DeKalb Hospital. The child was transported by EMS to a helicopter landing zone set up at the Midway Community Center and then flown to Vanderbilt Hospital.
Young sustained minor injuries and was cited for failure to exercise due care.
Trooper Delong was assisted by Trooper Sean Tramel. Members of the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department and Midway and Short Mountain Highway Stations of the DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department also responded.