December 17, 2023
By: Dwayne Page
A THP officer and three others were injured in a Thursday night crash on Allen Ferry Road (State Highway 83).
34-year-old Robert D. Melching, a Tennessee Highway Patrol officer, was among those hurt. He was in a 2022 Ford Explorer, a state vehicle and reportedly on his way home after being on duty. Others injured were 29-year-old Destiny L. Pendergraff and two children, ages 2 and 7, who were in a 2018 GMC Yukon.
According to the THP accident report, Pendergraff was westbound on Highway 83 (Allen Ferry Road) while Melching was traveling eastbound. The report states that Pendergraff attempted to negotiate a left turn onto Golf Club Drive when it crossed into the lane of Melching. The two vehicles collided in the eastbound lane of travel. Pendergraff’s vehicle came to a final rest on the roadway across both travel lanes facing south. Melching’s vehicle came to a final rest along the south side of Highway 83 facing north.
No charges were filed. Pendergraff was not wearing her seatbelt at the time but the children in her vehicle were restrained. Melching was also wearing his seatbelt.