September 29, 2020
By: Dwayne Page
A Baxter man was killed in a crash Monday afternoon on Highway 56 (Cookeville Highway) north of Hurricane Bridge near the scenic overlook.
Dead is 53 year old Mickey James.
According to Trooper Bobby Johnson of the Tennessee Highway Patrol, James was driving north in a 1996 Ford Ranger when a southbound 2009 Chevy Malibu, driven by 35 year old Kevin Boersma of McMinnville, crossed the center line and struck James’ pickup. The force of the crash knocked the truck into and partially across a guardrail. James, not wearing a seatbelt, was partially ejected. He died at the scene.
Boersma was transported by DeKalb EMS to Ascension Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital where he was treated for non-life threatening injuries. He was charged with a second offense of driving on a suspended license and failure to exercise due care.
The crash was investigated by Trooper Johnson who was assisted by Trooper Caleb Bain and Lieutenant Billy Prater of the Tennessee Highway Patrol. Others on the scene in addition to DeKalb EMS were members of the DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department Rescue and Extrication Team and the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department.
James’ death marks the 5th traffic fatality of the year in DeKalb County.