November 7, 2022
By: Dwayne Page
Five people were involved in a two-vehicle crash Saturday night on Highway 56 at Craft Center Drive near Hurricane Bridge. Two of the wreck victims were airlifted to Vanderbilt Hospital by helicopter ambulance.
30-year-old Victoria Loudermilk of Cookeville was driving south on Highway 56 in a 2002 GMC Yukon SUV when she crossed the center line and struck a northbound 2013 Honda Odyssey Mini-Van driven by 70-year-old Michael Shaefer of Munford, Tennessee. Impact was made at an angle, left front corner to left front corner.
Both Loudermilk and Shaefer were believed to have been seriously injured and were airlifted to Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville.
Passengers with Shafer, 56-year-old Teresa Carey of Bean Station, Tennessee and 66-year-old Janie Marshall of Morristown were thought to have suffered minor injuries. 70-year-old Marjorie Shaefer was not injured according to the Tennessee Highway Patrol.
All five were wearing their seatbelts.
Members of the DeKalb County Fire Department’s Extrication and Rescue Team were summoned and extricated a patient from each vehicle. The Putnam County Rescue Squad, finishing up a call in the Silver Point area, offered and came to assist with mutual aid on one of the vehicles involved in the crash.
The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department and DeKalb EMS were also on the scene.
The crash was investigated by Trooper Rory Comardelle of the Tennessee Highway Patrol.