Dumptruck kills Gross: Victim, 74, pulls into dumptruck?s path

This 1994 Ford Escort driven by George W. Gross suffered extensive damage in a two-vehicle collision with a dumptruck yesterday afternoon at the intersection of Goodbar Road and Sparta Highway.

According to Tennessee State Trooper, Ronnie Simmons, Mr. Gross was traveling north on Goodbar Road at approximately 1:25 p.m. in a 1994 Ford Escort and pulled into the path of a 2000 Mack dumptruck traveling west, toward McMinnville, on Highway 70. The truck was driven by Tillman Dwight Seibers, 43, of Quebeck.

The report indicated Mr. Gross crossed Highway 70 and pulled into the west-bound lane where his vehicle was struck in the passenger side. Witnesses on the scene said Mr. Gross apparently did not see the oncoming dumptruck, which was unable to avoid a collision. The dumptruck ran off the road as Seibers made an effort to avoid the collision.

The force of impact propelled the victim?s car off the road onto an embankment, trapping him inside. Gross, who died on impact, was extricated from the vehicle and taken to River Park Hospital.