Collision caused when car crosses median

By DUANE SHERRILL / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

Investigators aren’t sure what caused this 1998 Chevy driven by Jimmy D. Webb to cross the median and collide with another vehicle Tuesday afternoon on Manchester Highway. (Duane Sherrill photo)

A Summitville man was critically injured Tuesday when his truck crossed the median at the Warren-Coffee County line and slammed into a truck.

The injured victim, Jimmy D. Webb, 47, was rushed to River Park Hospital from the scene of the late afternoon crash and was later airlifted to Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

According to highway patrol reports, Webb was heading toward McMinnville on Manchester Highway (Highway 55) when his 1998 Chevy crossed the grassy median which separates the four-lane highway and slammed into the side of a westbound pickup driven by John D. DeBerry, 58, of Manchester.

The impact sheered one of the wheels of the large truck, which was hauling a four-wheeler, and caused the large truck to roll. Neither DeBerry or his passenger were injured. The Webb vehicle, however, suffered extensive front-end damage, knocking Webb unconscious on impact.

Lawmen are unsure what caused Webb to cross the median. No charges have been filed. The accident happened on a straight stretch of highway.