Teens ejected from vehicle: Talbert, 17, suffers significant injuries

By DUANE SHERRILL / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

Two critically injured youths were airlifted from the scene of a Saturday night crash on Short Mountain Road. The victims were ejected from the vehicle before it slammed into a tree and came to rest on its side. (Duane Sherrill photo)

Two youths were critically injured Saturday evening when they were thrown from their car as it rolled and struck a tree on Short Mountain Road.

The victims, Tansy K. Talbert, 17, and an unidentified male, were airlifted from the scene by LifeForce helicopter to Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga. They were both in very critical condition at press time, both suffering severe injuries.

The accident happened around 7:15 p.m. on Short Mountain Road at its intersection with John Oliver Road. According to a preliminary investigation, which was continuing on the scene at press time, the two were traveling westbound in a Chevy Malibu when the vehicle left the road for unknown reasons and entered a ditchline.

The car then flipped through a front yard, ejecting both occupants, before smashing into a tree passenger-side first and coming to rest on the driver’s side. A nearby resident said he first thought the sound of the crash was a clap of thunder.

Talbert was found lying on the ground within a few feet of the car while the male occupant was found lying on John Oliver Road about 10 feet past Talbert. Investigators are unsure who was driving and doubt either of the victims were wearing seatbelts. Officers found a receipt from a fast food restaurant with the time on the receipt suggesting the pair may have just come from getting dinner.