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.