MARYVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — A 33-year-old Rockford man has died and one man is facing charges including a second-offense DUI after a crash late Sunday that had shut down an intersection on Sevierville Road, according to the Blount County Sheriff’s Office.
According to BCSO, northbound U.S. Highway 411/Sevierville Road at Raintree Drive was shut down due to the fatal crash involving three vehicles. The agency identified the deceased man as Aaron Dixon, 33, of Rockford, Tenn.
Dixon was announced dead at the scene of the crash by AMR Ambulance Service personnel, BCSO said Monday, while two others, a 16-year-old boy and a 23-year-old man were injured. The 23-year-old was flown to the University of Tennessee Medical Center. The 16-year-old was taken by AMR to UT Medical.
BCSO says the driver believed to be at fault, identified as William Odom, 34, of Maryville was arrested and charged with DUI 2nd offense, vehicle assault and vehicle homicide. Odom remains in custody at the Blount County Correctional Facility as of Monday afternoon on bonds totaling $350,000 pending a hearing in Blount County General Sessions Court at 1:30 p.m. Monday.
BCSO also shared a brief narrative of the crash based on its preliminary investigation:
“Shortly before 7 p.m. Sunday, deputies responded to the call of a motor vehicle accident involving three vehicles on Sevierville Road at the intersection of Raintree Drive. The investigation conducted by deputies with the Traffic Safety Unit determined the following: the at-fault driver, William Odom, who was driving a 2006 Saab sedan, was attempting to make a left turn onto Sevierville Road from Raintree Drive when he pulled onto the roadway and failed to yield to a northbound 1994 Plymouth Voyager van driven by Aaron Dixon. The impact of that collision forced Dixon’s van into the opposite lane of travel, striking a 2001 F-150 Ford pick-up truck driven by Michael Roy, 23, of Alcoa.
“William Odom was evaluated on the scene by medics with AMR Ambulance Service before deputies conducted an investigation on him for DUI. Michael Roy, the driver of the F-150 Ford pick-up truck was also evaluated at the scene and refused medical transport. Roy’s two male passengers, 16 and 23, remain hospitalized.
“Odom was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident. The deceased, Aaron Dixon, was wearing a seatbelt. Michael Roy and his two passengers were also wearing seatbelts.
Blount County Sheriff’s Office
Sevierville Road remained closed for several hours Sunday evening due to the crash. Deputies with the BCSO Traffic Safety Unit are continuing the investigation into the accident.
Sheriff Berrong is asking citizens to obey the laws regarding Tennessee’s DUI laws.”
“This serves as a sad reminder that drinking and driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs can lead to serious consequences,” Sheriff Berrong said in the news release. “Getting behind the wheel intoxicated is NEVER okay. Designate a sober driver, call a ride share service, or just stay at home if you’ve been drinking. A life was cut short due to negligence, and it could have been avoided. As summer approaches and you start making holiday plans, please think about the consequences of driving intoxicated before it’s too late.”
Editor’s Note: This story has been updated.
