TOP PHOTO:  Multiple agencies responded to a crash on South Highway 25W on Thursday night.

A two-car wreck, just north of La Follette, happened Thursday just before 8 pm.  WLAF wants to make special mention that the cans in this photo are cans of water that are provided by Anheuser-Busch to volunteer departments like the unopened cans below.

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – The call of a crash on Highway 25W north of La Follette came in at 7:43 pm on Thursday.  At 7:50 pm, the Campbell County Rural Fire Service was dispatched to the 2000 block of South Hwy 25W on the report of a two-car accident with injuries.  The wreck scene was just north of Hatmaker Straight near Rockford Lane according to E-911 Dispatch.

Upon arrival, crews found one patient pinned in one of the vehicles.  Members of the CCRFS  and La Follette Rescue Squad had an extended extrication to free the victim.

A report from the Tennessee Highway Patrol said John James Owens, 70,  was traveling west on US Highway 25W near Bungelow Creek in his Nissan while Lonnie Sharp, 40, in his Ford, was traveling east on US Highway 25W near Bungelow Creek at the same time. Owens allegedly crossed the center dividing lines after negotiating a curve and struck Sharp head on, the report said.  Both drivers  were air lifted to The University of Tennessee Medical Center to receive medical treatment. Jamie Metzler, 27,  who was riding with Owens, was transported by Campbell County EMS to The University of Tennessee Medical Center to receive medical treatment.

Owens has been charged with  failure to exercise due care, failure to maintain lane, along with seatbelt, insurance and registration violations.

Three  patients were transported by Campbell County EMS to the La Follette Medical Center helipad.  Those individuals were flown to a Knoxville hospital.

The Campbell County Sheriffs Office, Campbell County EMA and the Tennessee Highway Patrol also responded.  Crews were on the scene for more than two hours.  (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 08/21/2020-2AM; UPDATED- 8/21/20- 6:10 PM-PHOTOS COURTESY OF CCRFS ASSISTANT CHIEF DANIEL LAWSON)

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