Talbert, 17, succumbs to wreck injuries
|
The girl, Tansey Kay Talbert, 17, passed away just after midnight Sunday morning at Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga after being airlifted from the scene by LifeForce helicopter. The alleged driver of the vehicle, Joshua C. Jacobs, 18, has been upgraded to a private room at the facility where he is undergoing treatment.
The crash happened around 7:15 p.m. Saturday on Short Mountain Road near its intersection with John Oliver Road. According to a preliminary report filed by Highway Patrolman Mike Tanner, the Chevy Malibu, owned by Talbert but reportedly driven by Jacobs, left the road for unknown reasons and entered a ditchline. This caused the car to begin flipping in the front yard of a house at the corner of Short Mountain and John Oliver.
Jacobs was ejected from the vehicle as it flipped four times through the yard, throwing him onto John Oliver Road. Investigators believe Talbert was ejected when the car hit a tree in the midst of its last roll. She was found a few feet from the car at the edge of the yard.
Tanner said evidence from witnesses, as well as evidence found on the scene, suggests Jacobs was driving the car. Tanner said the manner in which the two were ejected also suggests Jacobs was the driver.
In addition, a receipt from Sonic found inside a fast food bag in the car revealed the pair had just visited the restaurant. Sonic employees who were interviewed shortly after the crash said Jacobs was behind the wheel at the restaurant minutes earlier. Investigators have yet to talk to Jacobs due to his condition.
As for the cause of the wreck, Tanner said there were no signs of alcohol, although there was evidence excessive speed for the curvy, two-lane road may have contributed to the accident given the violence of the crash. Tanner also pointed out there is no shoulder where the wreck happened, meaning merely getting the wheels off the pavement briefly could cause a loss of control. However, Tanner noted there was evidence the driver lost control on the pavement before his wheels entered the drop off.
Tanner said the investigation is continuing as he tries to calculate how fast the vehicle was traveling when the driver lost control. The veteran trooper said the heavily traveled, two-lane road is prone to speeders despite the fact there is very little, if any, shoulder space on either side of the pavement.
Unless further evidence takes him out of the driver’s seat, Jacobs will likely be cited for driving without a license since his driving privileges are reportedly suspended.