THP Releases Report on Thursday Head-On Crash

September 13, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

One man was airlifted following a head-on crash Thursday afternoon around 2:45 p.m. at 6730 Short Mountain Highway near D&D Market involving an SUV and a dump truck.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol reports that 34 year old Joshua Baxter of Smithville was driving a 2016 Dodge Journey when he crossed the center line into oncoming traffic and hit head-on a 2001 Mack RD6 Dump Truck driven by 32 year old Adam Tramel of Rock Island. According to the THP, Tramel swerved trying to avoid the collision but the SUV again crossed his path causing the crash.

Baxter was extricated by members of the DeKalb and Smithville Fire Departments and transported by DeKalb EMS to a nearby helicopter landing zone where he was reportedly airlifted to Vanderbilt Hospital. Tramel was also hurt. Both men were wearing their seatbelts. Charges are pending against Baxter.

September 13, 2021
By:

Three members of the DeKalb County Fire Department graduated from the Tennessee Fire Service and Codes Enforcement Training Academy’s Live Burn Firefighter I class that was held Saturday and Sunday, September 11 and 12.

Captain Brian Williams said Daniel Bradam of the Austin Bottom Station, Frank Rodegeb of the Temperance Hall Station, and Neil Vogeler of the Liberty Station participated in
this 16-hour course which requires students to demonstrate skills needed to extinguish a passenger vehicle fire attack, exterior Class A fire attack, interior structure fire attack, commercial buildings and ground cover fire attack.

“We are extremely proud of these recent graduates. Today, our department stands better prepared to respond to emergencies because of the high standards for training we set for our firefighters,” said Captain Williams

September 12, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

DeKalb County recorded three suicide deaths in 2018 for a rate of 14.9 per 100,000 population according to statistics reported by the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network.

Unlike previous years, this year’s report used crude rather than age-adjusted suicide rates. 2018 numbers are the latest for which county-specific figures are available.

The DeKalb suicide rate is below the state average of 17.1 per 100,000 population for 2018.

County Mayor Tim Stribling and Smithville Mayor Josh Miller recently signed a proclamation designating September as Suicide Prevention Month in DeKalb County and Smithville. Jennifer Matthews and Lisa Cripps of the DeKalb Prevention Coalition and Kristi Paling, Regional Coordinator at the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth joined Mayors Stribling and Miller for the signing.

Clay County had the highest suicide rate among the fourteen counties of the Upper Cumberland Region in 2018 at 38.8 per 100,000 with three deaths. Fentress County had the lowest rate in the Upper Cumberland with one reported suicide in 2018. Bledsoe County recorded the highest suicide rate in the state at 52.4 per 100,000 with 7 deaths and Carroll County was among the lowest at 4.1 per 100,000 with 1 death.

DeKalb County’s crude suicide rate in 2017 was 15.1 per 100,000 with 3 deaths; 41.3 per 100,000 with 8 deaths in 2016 and at 26.1 per 100,000 with 5 deaths in 2015. The rate was 15.6 per 100,000 with 3 deaths in 2014, 15.7 per 100,000 with 3 deaths in 2013, and 15.9 per 100,000 with 3 deaths in 2012.

The proclamations signed by Mayors Stribling and Miller are as follows:

WHEREAS, suicide is one of the most disruptive and tragic events a family and a community can experience, with more than 1100 lives lost in Tennessee each year and an estimated 25 attempted suicides for each suicide death; and

WHEREAS, suicide is the 9th-leading cause of all deaths in Tennessee, the second-leading cause of death among youth ages of 10 to 14, as well as young adults ages 25-34 and the third leading cause for children ages 15 to 24; and

WHEREAS, more than three lives a day are lost to suicide in Tennessee, which means we lose 21 Tennesseans each week and 97 people per month; and

WHEREAS, Tennessee veterans, active-duty military, and National Guardsmen face a disproportionate risk as compared to the general population, with more dying from suicide than combat; and

WHEREAS, public awareness of this tragic problem is the key to preventing further suffering and loss of life; and the risk for human self-destruction can be reduced through awareness, education and treatment as the highest risk for suicide is among the survivors of those who died by suicide or those who have attempted suicide; and

WHEREAS, suicide prevention has been declared a state priority by the Governor; and the Tennessee Legislature has declared teen suicide prevention as a state priority in partnership with the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network to implement the Tennessee Strategy for Suicide Prevention; and

WHEREAS, Tennessee is a national leader in the effort to prevent suicide, being one of the first states to develop a suicide prevention and evaluation plan covering the lifespan; and

WHEREAS, the Governor of Tennessee has appointed a Suicide Prevention Network Advisory Council to coordinate the implementation of the Tennessee Strategy for Suicide Prevention; and

WHEREAS, the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network is a grassroots collaboration of Tennesseans and organizations working to eliminate the stigma of suicide, educate the community about the warning signs of suicide, and ultimately reduce the rate of suicide in our state; and

WHEREAS, every member of our community should understand that throughout life’s struggles, we all need occasional reminders that we all are silently fighting our own battles; and

WHEREAS, we encourage all Tennesseans to take the time to inquire as to the well being of their family, friends, and to genuinely convey their appreciation for their existence by any gesture they deem appropriate. A simple phone call, message, handshake, or hug can go a long way towards helping someone realize that suicide is not the answer;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Tim Stribling, Mayor of DeKalb County, and Josh Miller, Mayor of the City of Smithville, do hereby proclaim September, 2021 as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month in DeKalb County and Smithville, Tennessee and do urge all citizens to work to prevent suicide and to raise awareness and tolerance around all people affected by this tragedy.

In almost all cases, suicide can be traced to unrecognized, untreated, or poorly treated mental illness. It can happen to people of either sex, any race or ethnicity, and any economic status. The average suicide death leaves behind six survivors—family and friends of the deceased—all of whom are at increased risk for a suicide attempt themselves. As if the emotional and psychological toll were not enough, suicide and suicide attempts cost the state of Tennessee $1 billion a year in medical treatment, lost wages, and lost productivity.

The Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network (TSPN) and its allies in the public health, mental health, and social service fields are joining forces to recognize the month of September as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. During this annual observance, TSPN and its allies arrange several educational and memorial events across Tennessee. These projects help teach the general public about the problem of suicide and how it can be prevented. They also provide an opportunity to remember those lost to suicide; to encourage survivors of suicide, survivors of suicide attempts, and people who have triumphed over mental illness; and to recognize individuals who have made notable contributions to suicide prevention efforts in our state.

Details about the Suicide Prevention Awareness Day observance and other events planned across the state will be announced on the TSPN website (www.tspn.org). Additional information about Suicide Prevention Awareness Month is available from the TSPN central office at (615) 297-1077 or tspn@tspn.org.

You can reach out for help and hope by contacting the crisis text line. Simple text “TN” to 741 741 or call 1-800-273-8255.

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