Two killed in collision – Pickup pulling trailer hits oncoming SUV

Dead is driver Frank D. Garretson Sr., 65, of Viola and passenger Kimberly A. Roller, 37, of Rock Island.

Garretson’s other passenger, Ruben Ramirez, 43, of McMinnville, was airlifted to Erlanger in Chattanooga, as was the driver of the vehicle that hit them, Ramon Vevas, 34, of McMinnville. Vevas has since been released.

According to highway patrol reports, the accident happened about three miles west of McMinnville around 11:30 a.m. A preliminary investigation reveals Vevas was traveling toward McMinnville on Nashville Highway when he lost control of his vehicle and ran off the road. Witnesses reported seeing a car stopped in the road attempting to make a turn which caused Vevas to hit his brakes and swerve to avoid striking the turning car.

After leaving the road, Vevas was able to maneuver the 2004 Ford F450 he was driving back onto the pavement. However, in doing so, the long trailer he was pulling jackknifed, forcing his truck into the oncoming lane.

It was there he ran head-on into a 1995 GMC Jimmy driven by Garretson, impacting directly on the driver’s side. Garretson was pronounced dead at the scene while Roller died on her way to Vanderbilt after being airlifted from nearby Centertown School.

Emergency crews also spent time searching a nearby field after a baby seat was found in one of the vehicles, prompting concerns a child may have been ejected. None of the victims were able to communicate with rescue workers to say whether they had a child passenger. It was determined there were no children involved.

The wreck shut down Nashville Highway for several hours.