One person is dead and another person charged after a crash late Sunday at the Interstate 75/Interstate 24 split sent a car under a tractor-trailer in Chattanooga.
Police responding to a call around 11 p.m., learned the driver of a Ford Taurus, 45-year-old Ronard Neal, was traveling south on I-75 near the split when he drifted into the right lane, rear-ending a tractor trailer, according to a news release. The force was great enough that the impact broke the ride-under protection bar. The car continued under the truck before dislodging and sliding into a guardrail.
The front seat passenger, identified as 23-year-old Shekem Reed, was killed; another passenger was seriously injured. Two children in the car were unharmed. The driver, Neal, received minor injuries.
All were transported to a local hospital for treatment.
Neal is charged with vehicular homicide by impairment, driving on a suspended license, aggravated assault and reckless aggravated assault. He is currently in the Hamilton County Jail.
The driver of the truck was not injured.
The investigation is ongoing and Chattanooga Police ask anyone with information regarding this incident to call 423-698-2525.
