Rhea County student ejected, killed in Dayton, Tenn., crash that left two others injured

fatal accident tile car crash tile
fatal accident tile car crash tile

A juvenile was killed and two others injured in a crash on Wednesday in Dayton, Tennessee, according to the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

The vehicle, a 2016 Ford Fiesta, was traveling west on White Flats Road at around 8:21 p.m. when it left the road and went into a ditch to the right side. It hit an embankment and overturned multiple times.

The driver and front seat passenger, both girls, were injured, but the the girl who was in the back seat was ejected and died at an area hospital. The THP reported she was not wearing a seatbelt.

A GoFundMe page has since been set up to help the family of 15-year-old Chelsea Gunter with funeral costs.

A family member posted a public video to Facebook showing friends and family burning out their tires in honor of Gunter.

"We know how much you loved the drag strip. And how you always said the burnouts remind you of vape clouds," the post read. "We all love and miss you dearly. Fly high lil sis.. hope you enjoy the smell of all the burnt rubber."

Rhea County Schools Assistant Director Bryant Collins confirmed the deceased victim was a student at Rhea County High School. She was a freshman.

"It's an unfortunate situation and we hate for anyone to have to go through that," Collins said. "It's been tough on our students and tough on our faculty, but we're doing the best we can."

Counselors have been at the school to help with the grief process, Collins said.

No citations have been issued, but drug and alcohol screenings are pending against the driver and may result in criminal charges.

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