LAFOLLETTE, TN — A tragic accident late Friday afternoon has claimed the life of a man and temporarily shut down a portion of Cedar Creek Road, including the Cedar Creek Bridge over Norris Lake, as authorities continue their investigation.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol is leading the investigation into the fatal single-vehicle crash, which occurred just after 5:00 p.m. on July 25. The initial 911 call was received at 5:24 p.m. by Central Dispatch, reporting that a vehicle had gone off the roadway near the free launch area just before the bridge.
According to officials, a gold Ford F-350 pickup truck veered off Cedar Creek Road and went over an embankment, colliding with multiple trees before coming to rest.
Emergency personnel from the Campbell County EMS arrived on the scene and pronounced the driver—believed to be a man in his 50s—dead on arrival. He was the sole occupant of the vehicle.
Responders with the Campbell County Rural Fire Service worked to extricate the victim from the heavily damaged vehicle.
Due to the crash and subsequent recovery efforts, Cedar Creek Road and the Cedar Creek Bridge were temporarily closed to traffic. The road has since reopened.
The victim’s identity has not yet been released, pending notification of next of kin. The Tennessee Highway Patrol’s investigation is ongoing.
This incident is a somber reminder of how quickly tragedy can strike on rural roads. Local officials urge drivers to exercise caution, especially in areas with sharp turns and limited visibility.
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