February 2, 2020
By: Dwayne Page
A Saturday night crash on Cookeville Highway near the DeKalb/Putnam County line claimed the life of a 20 year old Smithville man.
Samuel Dewayne Wright was taken from the scene by DeKalb EMS to Ascension Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The accident occurred at around 8:17 p.m. in DeKalb County.
Trooper Caleb Bain of the Tennessee Highway Patrol told WJLE that Wright was traveling south on Highway 56 in a 2006 Mini Cooper as 18 year old Hunter Hoffman of Mount Juliet was northbound in a 2015 Dodge Charger.
According to Trooper Bain it is unknown as this time which driver was at fault until CIRT (Critical Incident Response Team) of the THP takes a look at the scene and conducts a further investigation.
Hoffman was transported by ambulance to Cookeville Regional Medical Center for non life threatening injuries.
Both were wearing their seatbelts.
Samuel was born October 19, 1999 in Lebanon to his parents, John & Teresa Waggoner Wright. Samuel was employed with Donelson Air and he attended the Refuge Church in Smithville. He was the President of the Unique Obsessions Car Club of Smithville, an organization he was proud to be a part of.
Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, February 5, 2020 at 2pm from the Chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Bro. Graden Kirksey & Bro. Donnie Kelly will officiate with burial to follow at DeKalb Memorial Gardens. Visitation with the family will be on Tuesday from 11am-9pm and Wednesday from 10am until service time at 2pm.
He was preceded in death by his Maternal Grand Father, Grady Samuel Waggoner & Paternal Grand Parents, Archie & Thelma Wright. Maternal Aunt & Uncles, Sharrion & Mike Rhoten & Joe White. Paternal Aunt, June Blaylock. Survivors include his Parents, John & Teresa Wright of Smithville. Sister, Olivia & Ivan Beale & a soon to be niece or nephew of Smithville. Maternal Grandmother, Oneda Montgomery Waggoner of Smithville. Uncles & Aunt, Jerome Waggoner of Smithville, Roy & Wilma Rockwell of Livingston, Andrew & Lynne Wright of Celina, Kim & Joe Endsley of Knoxville. Several cousins, friends and family also survive.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to The Refuge Church building fund in memory of Samuel.
Love-Cantrell Funeral Home in charge of the arrangements.