Nelson dies in crash:Victim ejected when Bronco flips

By JAMES CLARK / Editor for the Southern Standard

Tennessee Highway Patrolmen investigate the Thursday evening crash which killed local woman Patsy Grace Nelson. Troopers aren’t sure what caused Nelson to lose control of her Ford Bronco. (James Clark photo)

A single-vehicle crash claimed the life of a local woman Thursday evening when she lost control of her 1985 Ford Bronco II while traveling down Beersheba Highway.

The victim, Patsy Grace Nelson, 46, of the Irving College community died at the scene after being ejected from her vehicle.

The accident took place past Irving College near the Grundy County line. Nelson was traveling away from McMinnville when she lost control of her vehicle near the turnoff for Dykes & Son Nursery.

According to state troopers investigating the wreck, Nelson’s vehicle never left the road. Skid marks indicated it began wandering toward the right shoulder which is when Nelson tried to take corrective measures. She apparently overcompensated, however, and the Bronco briefly zig-zagged on the highway before Nelson completely lost control.

Troopers estimate the vehicle flipped at least three times and it was during those flips Nelson was ejected. She was found a short distance from where the Bronco came to rest on its roof.

Trooper Monty Terry says it doesn’t appear alcohol or drugs, or another vehicle, played any part in the wreck.

“We have ruled out another vehicle being involved,” said Terry. “And we don’t think excessive speed was involved either. It was probably a case of her trying to correct and those Broncos have a short wheel base anyway. They are prone to roll.”