Charges Pending In Two Recent Accidents

Two recent traffic accidents in Cannon County resulted in one fatality and the other – a single-vehicle accident – left four hospitalized.

Dale Eugene Loy, 62 of Bradyville, was reported dead on the scene after an oncoming vehicle collided with his motorcycle on Jim Cummings Highway shortly after 4 p.m. on June 5, according to Tennessee Highway Patrolman Gary Myers.

Loy’s motorcycle was reportedly struck head-on by a 1997 Toyota Camry, driven by Rachel Katherine Jernigan, who was traveling south toward Manchester. Myers said Jernigan was following a truck with a trailer loaded with tractors.

Jernigan had reportedly nodded off and when she looked back up the truck had slowed to turn into Hollow Springs Road. According to Myers’ report, Jernigan crossed into the opposite lane where her vehicle struck Loy’s 1999 Honda motorcycle heading north.

Witnesses told THP they heard a large bang and upon seeing the accident called 911. Loy’s funeral was conducted Thursday in Woodbury.

Myers said the accident remains under investigation and charges may be filed against Jernigan.

Another accident – this one on Short Mountain on June 6 – left four local people hospitalized. Myers said the investigation is ongoing and charges are pending.

According to THP, Billy Ray Carmack, 42, his son, Dewayne Carmack, 17, Jeffrey Nichols, 20, and Rick Menier, all from Woodbury, were taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center after the 1998 Chevrolet Lumina they were in crashed on a stretch of Blues Hill Road at approximately 4:30 p.m., Sunday. None of the four were wearing safety belts, according to Myers.

Both Carmacks and Nichols were transported to Vanderbilt by LifeFlight while Menier was initially taken to Stones River Hospital in Woodbury and later transported to Vanderbilt. A Vanderbilt University Medical Center spokesperson said both Carmacks were listed in stable condition in the trauma unit as of Friday (June 11). Nichols and Menier had been released, the spokesperson said.

According to THP, Billy Carmack was driving the vehicle, lost control and ran off the eastbound side of the road at a high speed. The vehicle crossed a ditch, went through an open field and hit an embankment before going in the air and eventually hitting a block garage.