Sparta Hwy. collision sends two to Vanderbilt
Two victims remain in critical condition following a crash at the intersection of Sparta Highway and Highway 30 Friday afternoon.
The two motorists, Kristi A. Lynch, 24, and Terry W. Patterson, 43, were both patients in the critical care units at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville at press time. They were transferred to Vandy from River Park Hospital shortly after the wreck.
According to Highway Patrolman Gary Myers, the accident happened at the caution light where Highway 30 crosses onto Sparta Highway.
A preliminary investigation revealed Lynch, who was driving a Chevy Malibu, stopped at the flashing light at the end of Highway 30 and then proceeded to cross Highway 70. As she entered the intersection, she pulled into the path of an oncoming eastbound Ford Ranger driven by Patterson on Highway 70 and was struck in the driver’s side.
Myers said he is unsure why Lynch pulled from the intersection after coming to a stop. Myers noted Patterson had no time to brake as troopers measured just 24 feet of skid marks leading up to the crash site, meaning Patterson must have been upon Lynch when she pulled from the intersection.