Beasley killed on bypass

By DUANE SHERRILL / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

The passenger side of the truck driven by Ernest Beasley was completely sheered away after striking a utility pole near the off-ramp of Highway 70 Bypass near Newtown. Beasley died in the Thursday night crash. (Duane Sherrill photo)

A local man was killed when he lost control of his truck as he entered the off-ramp of Highway 70 Bypass and struck a utility pole Thursday night.

The victim, Ernest Beasley, 68, who was pronounced dead at the scene of the 5:30 p.m. crash, was seen driving erratically leading up to the crash site and had struck another vehicle more than half a mile away from the scene.

According to McMinnville Policeman Mark Mara, motorist Brad Anderson reported that Beasley’s pickup crossed the centerline on Sunset Drive and struck his vehicle. When Beasley failed to stop after the impact, Anderson fell in behind Beasley and followed him onto Highway 70 at McMinnville Funeral Home and then onto the off-ramp which leads to Newtown.

Witnesses told police Beasley left the off-ramp and rolled over an embankment and through a retaining fence. Beasley’s vehicle then traveled on the wrong side of the fence for about one-tenth of a mile before striking a utility pole with its passenger-side.

Emergency workers found Beasley dead in the floorboard of his truck. The cause of death, whether by pre-existing medical problem or crash injuries, was not known at press time; however, Beasley was said to have suffered serious trauma in the crash. Lawmen said they did find alcohol in the vehicle but were unsure if his erratic driving was due to alcohol or a medical problem.