(Smith County Insider Press) Elmwood, Tenn. – On Thursday night, September 3, Smith County 911 received a call about a single vehicle accident that occurred on Sullivan’s Bend Road in Elmwood.
The driver of the vehicle was Steven Riddle and the passenger was Ernest Thomas Jr. The vehicle was a 1999 Chevy CZ2. Riddle and Thomas was traveling North on Sullivan’s Bend Road when it exited the right side of the road, over corrected, then exited the left side of the road. Once the car exited the left side of the road, it overturned. The driver of the vehicle was partially ejected.
Riddle was life flighted to Vanderbilt Medical Center with critical injuries. Riddle was pronounced dead around 5 a.m. Friday morning, September 4.
Thomas was transported to Riverview Regional Medical Center with minor injuries.
Trooper Mark Jones of the Tennessee Highway Patrol worked the scene, along with assistance from the Smith County Rescue Squad, Smith County EMS, and Smith County Sheriff’s Department.
Trooper Jones stated that if seat belts had been worn, it could have potentially lessened the severity of the injuries that occurred.
Dale’s Towing and Recovery removed the vehicle from the scene.
