4 killed in head-on collision near Sylva

Comments on Topix forums : A head-on collision on U.S. 441 in Jackson County Monday night killed four people and injured one.

[mlc9852]

From the report on TV, it was a very high speed impact. Horrible. You just never know when you time will be up here on earth. Prayers for the families and friends. What a tragedy.

[caro13]

Tom was such a wonderful man; we are going to really miss him.

[Whizzer]

mlc9852 wrote:

From the report on TV, it was a very high speed impact. Horrible. You just never know when you time will be up here on earth. Prayers for the families and friends. What a tragedy.

Keep in mind the source. If it was WLOS - not the "news team you can count on with "facts."

[goheels]

Who was the survivor? local?

[Raz Lemons]

The Survivor is Tim Brown of Jackson Co., He is in surgery this morning he has serious head trama broken ribs and internal injuries , At this point nobody knows who was at fault in the accident. Wreckers had to be used to seperate the vehicles so rescue workers could get to some of the victims , Two of the Vans passengers were decapitated , I'll let you know more as I hear it , Tim is my Brother-in-laws cousin

[ADM]

Such sad news, keep all families in your prayers.

[mlc9852]

Whizzer wrote:

<quoted text>
Keep in mind the source. If it was WLOS - not the "news team you can count on with "facts."

They showed the vehicles. It was very bad.

[mlc9852]

Raz Lemons wrote:

The Survivor is Tim Brown of Jackson Co., He is in surgery this morning he has serious head trama broken ribs and internal injuries , At this point nobody knows who was at fault in the accident. Wreckers had to be used to seperate the vehicles so rescue workers could get to some of the victims , Two of the Vans passengers were decapitated , I'll let you know more as I hear it , Tim is my Brother-in-laws cousin

Such a horrible accident. Prayers for the families. My heart breaks for them.

[441 Wreck]

Too bad

[Jackson Countian]

Curious why the first fatal wreck last week was reported as 3 miles south of Cherokee and this one was reported as 9 miles north of Sylva when they both occured within a mile of each other on the same stretch of road, yet Cherokee and Sylva remain vastly different communities and are separated by quite a distance.

In fact the first wreck used Shoal Creek as a detour route while the second wreck required the use of the road adjacent to Shoal Creek as a detour route. This is the same general area involved, but both wrecks are reported in ways which could lead a reader to think of Cherokee in one and Sylva in the other as the locales. It's too early to tell, but is there an issue with the road itself that needs to be addressed or are these driver error type situations, one was reported as DUI related.

More accurate reporting would help the public see the danger more accurately if it is a road related issue and makes some more informed decisions about travel/safety. Perhaps the State should study the speed limit and the lines of sight along the route for public safety. Either way it is sad.

[Jane Duh]

Jackson Countian wrote:

Curious why the first fatal wreck last week was reported as 3 miles south of Cherokee and this one was reported as 9 miles north of Sylva when they both occured within a mile of each other on the same stretch of road, yet Cherokee and Sylva remain vastly different communities and are separated by quite a distance.
In fact the first wreck used Shoal Creek as a detour route while the second wreck required the use of the road adjacent to Shoal Creek as a detour route. This is the same general area involved, but both wrecks are reported in ways which could lead a reader to think of Cherokee in one and Sylva in the other as the locales. It's too early to tell, but is there an issue with the road itself that needs to be addressed or are these driver error type situations, one was reported as DUI related.
More accurate reporting would help the public see the danger more accurately if it is a road related issue and makes some more informed decisions about travel/safety. Perhaps the State should study the speed limit and the lines of sight along the route for public safety. Either way it is sad.

...And the street addresses for that that area are neither Sylva nor Cherokee -- it is Whittier

[frenchhawk]

fact: the two separate wrecks were horrible. Fact: loved ones died Fact: It did not take wreckers to pull the van apart. i was there Fact: before you write type or talk please get facts right. Loved ones read comments to Fact: it hurts and painful Fact: the family of both wrecks have my prayers.

[mlc9852]

And prayers for the cops and EMS workers as well. I'm sure it was a traumatic experience for them as well.

[MsLyn]

Raz Lemons wrote:

The Survivor is Tim Brown of Jackson Co., He is in surgery this morning he has serious head trama broken ribs and internal injuries , At this point nobody knows who was at fault in the accident. Wreckers had to be used to seperate the vehicles so rescue workers could get to some of the victims , Two of the Vans passengers were decapitated , I'll let you know more as I hear it , Tim is my Brother-in-laws cousin

I worked with Tim and Steve many years ago, his dads family are distant relatives of my husband. He is a good guy. We were at the funeral home for a cousin last night when his mom got the call. I cannot imagine getting a call like that. I pray he will be okay and for the families who lost loved ones.

[Maria]

frenchhawk wrote:

fact: the two separate wrecks were horrible. Fact: loved ones died Fact: It did not take wreckers to pull the van apart. i was there Fact: before you write type or talk please get facts right. Loved ones read comments to Fact: it hurts and painful Fact: the family of both wrecks have my prayers.

Fact: Read the comment your replying to. It does not say they had to pull the van apart, it says they had to pull the VEHICLES apart.

[Icewoman4110]

I am the cousin of Kathryn and niece of Tom Caldwell. I am devastated at the news that I found out this afternoon. I pray that the other driver survives because I know my cousin and uncle would want him too. They were very giving souls. My uncle was a retired pediatrician and my cousin was a hospice nurse. They gave so much to alleviate the suffering of others. We will miss them and I thank you for all of your prayers.

[mlc9852]

Icewoman4110 wrote:

I am the cousin of Kathryn and niece of Tom Caldwell. I am devastated at the news that I found out this afternoon. I pray that the other driver survives because I know my cousin and uncle would want him too. They were very giving souls. My uncle was a retired pediatrician and my cousin was a hospice nurse. They gave so much to alleviate the suffering of others. We will miss them and I thank you for all of your prayers.

We in this area are praying for your family. We have all been saddened by this tragedy. I pray God will comfort your families as you grieve. We are all so sorry for you. They sound like wonderful people.

[SDB]

I dated the driver of the truck and he is one of the most caring individuals I've ever meet. I am praying for him as well as the families for the one's that didn't make it. He is a local and has many friends and loved ones in the area. I don't think this is a time to point fingers or place the blame. It is a time to take what life has given you. God said that he would never put more on you than you can bare. Death is a thing that will come to each of us. We don't know the time or the date, that is why we need to get ready to meet our maker's and be ready to go at any point. Again, my thoughts and prayers go out to Tim and his family as well as the family of those that have lost loved ones in this terrible accident.

[Rattler]

Icewoman4110 wrote:

I am the cousin of Kathryn and niece of Tom Caldwell. I am devastated at the news that I found out this afternoon. I pray that the other driver survives because I know my cousin and uncle would want him too. They were very giving souls. My uncle was a retired pediatrician and my cousin was a hospice nurse. They gave so much to alleviate the suffering of others. We will miss them and I thank you for all of your prayers.

Prayers and sympathies to your families. What a terrible tragedy. I am so sorry for your loss.

[Ghost Dog]

Police estimate he was doing over 70 before crossing over lanes to hit the van. Why was he going so fast? Why did he cross lanes? 4 good people died because of what? Speed?