July 22, 2019
By: Dwayne Page
One person was airlifted after a crash involving two pickup trucks Saturday afternoon on Highway 56 south.
Trooper Bobby Johnson of the Tennessee Highway Patrol said 57 year old Wendall Batey of Smithville was south on Highway 56 in a GMC Sierra when he crossed into the northbound lane and struck an oncoming 2012 Dodge Ram driven by 36 year old Courtney Webster of Smithville. According to Trooper Johnson Webster swerved but was unable to avoid the crash.
Batey was taken by DeKalb EMS to the Keltonburg Community Center where he was airlifted to Vanderbilt Hospital. Webster refused transport by EMS. Charges are pending.
Another crash occurred later Saturday afternoon not far from the first wreck.
Trooper Johnson said 61 year old Mark Wallace of Smithville was driving south on Highway 56 in a 2000 Lexus RX 300 SUV when he crossed into the northbound lane and struck an oncoming 2010 Nissan Rogue, driven by 72 year old Avent Mooneyham of Smithville. According to Trooper Johnson, Mooneyham swerved into a ditch but was unable to avoid the crash.
Passengers with Mooneyham were 71 year old Paulette Mooneyham and 55 year old Kandy Fish both of Smithville. Fish was taken to the hospital by private vehicle.
Wallace has been charged with driving under the influence, possession of schedule III and IV drugs, and failure to exercise due care.