THP identifies man, woman killed in fatal crashes on Thursday
Published 4:10 pm Friday, July 27, 2018
- Star Photo/Bryce Phillpss A trooper with the Tennessee Highway Patrol sprays markings on a part of Mary Patton Highway where a box van collided with a motorcycle Thursday. The rider of the motorcycle died during the accident.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol is investigating a pair of fatal crashes on Thursday that claimed the lives of two local residents.
Shortly after 5 p.m. on Thursday, THP troopers responded to a report of an accident on Mary Patton Highway involving a motorcycle and a box truck.
According to THP Trooper Greg Marlowe, David Desgro, 58, of Elizabethton, was riding a Kawasaki motorcycle when he attempted to turn left from Gap Creek Road onto Mary Patton Highway.
Marlowe said Desgro pulled into the path of a box truck driven by William Caraker, 27, of Sevierville. After the vehicles collided, Marlowe said both the truck and the motorcycle were engulfed in fire.
Desgro died at the scene as a result of his injuries according to the THP. Neither Caraker nor the passenger in the truck, identified as George McCombs, of Speedwell, were injured in the crash.
No charges are pending as a result of this accident according to the THP.
Later on Thursday, shortly before midnight, troopers responded to a second fatal crash in Carter County, this one in the area of 3016 Highway 321.
According to THP Trooper Brad Proffitt, Adam Clawson, 22, of Hampton, was driving northbound on Highway 321 when he fell asleep at the wheel. Clawson’s pickup truck crossed over the center line and struck another vehicle head on.
The driver of the other car, 47-year-old Deana Hartley, of Butler, died as a result of her injuries according to the THP. Clawson also suffered injuries in the accident.
According to the THP criminal charges are pending further investigation into the accident.
