Driver dies from injuries in crash near Sparta Electric

An updated reported about a two-vehicle crash that occurred Oct. 29, 2020, near Sparta Electric and Water System, on U.S. Highway 70, states that Donnie Henry, 76, of Sparta, has died from the injuries he suffered.

The crash occurred at approximately 11:45 a.m., on Oct. 29, 2020,  and was the scene of multiple emergency services personnel. Sparta-White County Rescue Squad used the “jaws of life” to extract the driver from the 2002 Chrysler that was involved in the incident.

According to a preliminary report by Trooper David Hickey, of Tennessee Highway Patrol, drivers of the vehicles involved in the crash were Donnie Henry, 76, of Sparta, and Christine Miller, 49, of Sparta.

The vehicles involved in the crash were a 1989 Ford Ranger, driven by Henry, and a 2002 Chrysler Sebring, driven by Miller.

The original report stated that both Henry and Miller were injured. Henry has since died from his injuries. The updated reported states neither Henry nor Miller were wearing seatbelts.

The original report stated the Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) was working to determine in which direction the 1989 Ford Ranger was traveling at the time of the crash. 

Tennessee Highway Patrol’s Critical Incident Response Team is responsible for assisting other members of the department in the investigation and reconstruction of motor vehicle traffic crashes. The unit is staffed with THP personnel and all members receive extensive training in traffic crash investigation.

The updated report from Tennessee Highway Patrol states that Henry’s vehicle was traveling eastbound, on U.S. Highway 70, in the left lane, and Miller’s vehicle was attempting to enter U.S. Highway 70 from the Sparta Electric and Water System parking lot. As Miller’s vehicle entered U.S. Highway 70, headed westbound, contact was made with Henry’s vehicle in the eastbound lanes. After contact, Henry’s vehicle traveled a short distance and came to a final rest in the eastbound lanes. Miller’s vehicle came to a final rest on the fog line of the westbound lanes.