A pile-up at the intersection of U.S. Highway 64 and APD 40 in Cleveland killed two motorists Wednesday and injured a third, according to a Tennessee Highway Patrol report.
Troopers said Thursday that Elvia Hidalgo, 25, and Terry Joe Banks, 60, both of Dalton, Ga., were both killed on the scene.
The accident happened about 3 p.m. Wednesday when a 2000 Ford Mustang driven by Ms. Hidalgo crossed the center line and struck the bumper of a log truck driven by Stephen Ross, 51, of Chatsworth, Ga., according to a trooper’s report.
That crash didn’t seriously harm anyone, but while Ms. Hidalgo and Mr. Ross were outside their vehicles surveying the damage, a second semi-truck, a GMC Aero driven by Mr. Banks, came upon the scene and rear ended the log truck.
“The driver of (the Mustang) was standing in front of (the log truck) when it was struck from behind,” according to the highway patrol report. “The driver of the (GMC Aero) was caught on the rear end of the (log truck) and ejected from his vehicle.”
Both Ms. Hidalgo and Mr. Banks were pronounced dead at the scene, the report reads. Mr. Ross suffered minor injuries and was taken to Skyridge Medical Center for treatment.
The report, which was written by Trooper Cameron Azbill, did not indicate that alcohol was a factor in the crash.