One driver airlifted to Erlanger Hospital, other driver uninjured

A two-vehicle crash, on July 16, left one driver severely injured who was transported by Life Force medical helicopter to Erlanger Hospital, in Chattanooga.

According to a report from Tennessee Highway Patrol, Timothy J. Johnson, 54, of Sparta, was traveling south, on Old Cookeville Road, in a 2009 Sterling dump truck.

Patricia Simpson, 62, of Sparta, who was driving a 2013 Dodge Journey, was headed north on Old Cookeville Road, waiting to turn left onto James Austin Road.

As the dump truck approached the intersection of James Austin Road, Simpson reportedly turned left into its path.

Simpson’s vehicle was struck on the passenger’s side, in the center, by the dump truck. Simpson’s vehicle was pushed by the dump truck onto the east side of Old Cookeville Road, coming to a final rest in the front lawn of 1900 Old Cookeville Rd.  The dump truck came to a final rest approximately 50 yards south of the area of impact, crossing both lanes of Old Cookeville Road.

Simpson was extricated from her vehicle and transported to Upper Cumberland Regional Airport  where she was airlifted to Erlanger Hospital, in Chattanooga, for treatment.

According to the report, Johnson was wearing his seat belt and was not injured. Simpson was also wearing her seat belt.