A quiet Sunday afternoon turned bad on a rural Tennessee road, leaving a local family broken and a small town grieving. Stephen R. Parker, 69, his wife Susan J. Parker, 64, and an 11-year-old child were killed in a violent crash near the state line. Another young child riding in the back seat survived the wreck, but needed immediate care at a nearby hospital.
The wreck happened around 3:35 p.m. at the intersection where Highway 79 North meets Bull Durham Road in Buchanan. Stephen Parker was driving a 2019 Ram 1500 pickup truck with Susan and the two children onboard. They were heading down the highway when another truck collided with them right at the crossing.
State troopers reported that the second vehicle was a 2015 Ram 1500 driven by 26-year-old Terry M. Roberts. Roberts managed to walk away from the impact without a single reported injury. Troopers noted he had his seat belt on during the crash.
First responders rushed to the scene on Highway 79, but could not save three of the people inside the Parker truck. Stephen, Susan, and the 11-year-old child died right there at the intersection. The sudden collision took three family members in an instant.
The only survivor inside the Parker vehicle was a 10-year-old child. Emergency crews pulled the child from the damaged truck and rushed them to a regional hospital. Authorities have not given out details on the child’s exact injuries or present condition.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol quickly closed off the intersection to start a full investigation. Officers spent hours examining the roadway, checking tire marks, and measuring the damage on both Ram trucks. Locals know that turning onto Highway 79 from Bull Durham Road can be tough when traffic moves fast.
State police stressed that their crash report is still preliminary. Investigators are still looking into speed, right-of-way, and sight lines at the intersection. No criminal charges have been filed while troopers continue to gather evidence.
Around the county, friends and neighbors are doing what they can to support the surviving family members. Stephen and Susan Parker were well-known folks who spent most of their time with family. Losing them along with an 11-year-old child has hit the whole area hard.
With the 10-year-old still under medical care, state troopers say the investigation will stay open for a while. A final report will be released once crash reconstruction officers complete their work.
Leave a Reply