One killed in early July 4 crash

By Michael R. Moser / mmoser@crossville-chronicle.com

July 07, 2009 06:01 pm

— One person was killed and another critically injured in an early morning single-vehicle automobile crash that occurred just hours into the Fourth of July, according to the Tennessee Highway Patrol.
Dead at the scene was the driver of a 2006 Ford Mustang, Michele G. Lord, 30, Midtown Lane, Harriman.
Three passengers were in the vehicle including two who were treated at area hospitals. They were identified as Charles Harris II, 20, and Dustin Wayne Braden, 19.
Not injured but transported to Cumberland Medical Center as a precaution was Michael Ryan Long, 20. One of the injured was treated in the emergency room at Cumberland Medical Center while the other was flown to a regional trauma center with a serious head injury.
A THP spokesman could not identify which of the two was critically hurt and addresses for the three survivors were not available. However, it is believed all were from the area.
The crash occurred at 2:25 a.m. on Hwy. 70 E between Renegade Mountain and Ozone Falls on the approach to Ozone, according to Trooper Jason Winningham's report.
Lord's car failed to negotiate a curve, traveled across one lane of traffic and off the left side of the road where it collided with a rock wall, traveled a distance in the ditch, reentered the road and crossed both lanes before coming to a rest.
Nearly all the damage and impact was on the driver's side of the vehicle.
Cumberland County's ambulance service, fire department and sheriff's department responded to the call and some extrication was needed.
A landing zone was set up on Hwy. 70 E in front of Franklin Industrial Minerals to fly the most critical of the injured to a regional hospital.
Lord was wearing a seat belt but, according to Winningham's report, it made no difference in the outcome of the crash because of the impact of the vehicle into the rock wall.
Routine tests were ordered.

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