Three Vehicle Crash Claims One, Injures Three Others

A McMinnville man was killed and three other people were injured in a three vehicle crash Tuesday on Highway 56 just south of the Magness Road intersection.
THP received the call at 12:20 p.m.
Dead is 72 year old Edgar Louis Madewell of McMinnville. 33 year old Joshua Johnson of Smithville, 58 year old Virginia Hendrixson of Liberty, and 73 year old Neodia Cantrell of Dowelltown were all injured and transported by DeKalb EMS to DeKalb Community Hospital.
According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Johnson was northbound on Highway 56 in a 1997 Olds Bravada and failed to stay in his lane of travel while negotiating a curve. Johnson crossed over into the southbound lane and struck an oncoming 2008 Mazda Tribute SUV, driven by Hendrixson. Cantrell was a passenger with Hendrixson. The impact of the crash knocked Hendrixson’s SUV sideways before it came to rest in the southbound lane. Johnson’s car continued northbound in the southbound lane and met an oncoming 2007 Ford Expedition, driven by Madewell, who was negotiating a curve. Madewell’s vehicle veered left to avoid a head-on collision but was hit at an angle by Johnson’s automobile. Madewell’s Expedition was then knocked sideways into the northbound lane and yawed off the left shoulder of the highway before rolling over twice and ejecting Madewell, who was not wearing his seatbelt. Madewell’s vehicle came to a final rest upright in a field. After impact with Madewell’s Expedition, Johnson’s car continued in the opposite lane and traveled off the left shoulder of the highway before coming to final rest on its left side in the ditchline.
All were wearing their seatbelts except for Madewell.
Johnson has been cited for failure to maintain lane of travel and failure to exercise due care. Criminal charges are pending.
The crash was investigated by Sergeant Eric McCormick and Troopers Tommy Cooper and Troy Withers of the Tennessee Highway Patrol.
Others on the scene were members of the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department and DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department