Truck-car crash claims at least 1
A tractor trailer and an automobile collided on U.S. 27 in Rhea County.DAYTON, Tenn. - A tractor-trailer and a passenger car collided Wednesday morning on U.S. Highway 27 in Rhea County, killing one person and injuring another.
The accident happened in front of the Walmart in Dayton, forcing traffic to be rerouted while Dayton police investigated.
Dayton Police Department Sgt. Dean Smith confirmed to WRCB TV-Channel 3 that one person died in the passenger car occupied by an elderly local couple.
Police identified the victim killed as 89-year-old Gilford Kyle. His wife, Anna, was listed in critical condition at Erlanger hospital in Chattanooga.
Authorities said the driver of the big rig was examined at a nearby hospital and released.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol assisted the Dayton Police Department with the investigation related to the commercial vehicle, THP officials said.
The car was badly damaged in the accident, and the semi ran up an embankment.
Judge to judge judges' misconduct
ATLANTA - The state agency charged with investigating judicial misconduct will be headed by a judge for the first time in its 42-year history.
Judicial Qualifications Commission Chairman Robert Ingram told the Daily Report that Pataula Circuit Superior Court Judge Ronnie Joe Lane was named this week as the agency's director.
Lane, who will be the commission's fourth director, replaces attorney Jeff Davis who has led the agency since 2010. Davis is leaving to become executive director of the State Bar of Georgia.
Lane, who's 67, has been a member of the Judicial Council of Georgia for six years and served on the executive committee of the state Council of Superior Court Judges.
Ingram said Lane will retire from his job as a superior court judge before he starts at the commission.
Wildlife facility fire kills animals
JOELTON, Tenn. - A fire at a wildlife rehabilitation facility in Middle Tennessee has killed 70 animals.
Lane Brody, who is chairman and CEO of Walden's Puddle, told WKRN-TV that at least one of every species was killed Monday in the blaze that began in a dryer in a laundry room.
Brody said recently installed smoke detectors kept the damage from being worse at the facility in Joelton.
She said animals injured in the blaze are continuing to get treatment for smoke inhalation. They are being kept in outside enclosures while crews clean up the site.
The facility says it is currently admitting only animals that are in critical condition.