October 26, 2023
By: Dwayne Page
A Thursday morning crash involving two vehicles claimed the life of an elderly Alexandria man at the intersection of Highways 70 & 96 at Liberty.
Central Dispatch notified emergency personnel at 11:23 a.m.
Dead is 85-year-old George Dodd, Jr. Dodd’s wife, 82-year-old Alice Francis Dodd was injured in the crash along with 78-year-old Sarah Harrington of Auburntown.
According to Trooper Bobby Johnson of the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Harrington was west on Highway 70 and turning left onto Highway 96 in a 2004 Toyota Hylander when she pulled into the path of a 2011 Mazda 3, driven by Mrs. Dodd, who was traveling east on Highway 70. Mr. Dodd was a passenger with his wife. Upon impact, the Hylander overturned and came to rest on the driver side. Harrington was entrapped. Members of the DeKalb County Fire Department’s Extrication and Rescue Team were summoned to help remove Harrington from her vehicle.
A landing zone was set up at DeKalb West School for a Vandy Life Flight helicopter to airlift Mr. Dodd but he passed away shortly after the crash. Mrs. Dodd and Harrington were transported by DeKalb EMS to Ascension St. Thomas DeKalb Hospital.
The crash was investigated by Trooper Johnson with assistance from THP Lieutenant Charlie Caplinger and Trooper Brent Collier. The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department was also on the scene.