Troopers Say Victims Were Not Wearing Seatbelts
GRAINGER COUNTY, Tenn. (WOKI / WVLT) – Two people died in a head-on collision Saturday afternoon on Highway 11W near Bean Station, according to the Tennessee Highway Patrol.
Troopers responded to the crash around 12:15 p.m. Saturday near the First Baptist Church of Bean Station.
According to a preliminary THP report, 59-year-old Larry T. Collins was driving a 2003 Toyota Camry southbound on Highway 11W when his vehicle crossed into the northbound lane.
Authorities said a 17-year-old driver traveling northbound in a 2017 Chevrolet Captiva encountered the oncoming vehicle. Investigators said both drivers attempted to take evasive action by swerving, but the vehicles ultimately collided head-on.
Collins and his passenger, 53-year-old Stella M. Ogan, suffered fatal injuries and were pronounced dead at the scene.
Troopers reported that neither Collins nor Ogan was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.
The 17-year-old driver of the Chevrolet Captiva was wearing a seatbelt and was not injured.
The exact cause of the crash remains under investigation. No charges have been filed.
The collision temporarily impacted traffic along the busy Highway 11W corridor as emergency crews responded and investigators processed the scene.
