A motorcyclist tragically lost his life on Alcoa Highway near Hillside Drive Monday morning when he collided with a vehicle that was attempting to merge, according to authorities. The incident, which occurred around 7:20 a.m., claimed the life of 44-year-old Russell Swanson Jr., a resident of Maryville. Officers from the Alcoa Police Department along with the Alcoa Fire Department arrived at the scene to find Swanson lying unresponsive next to his motorcycle, as WATE reported.
Following the collision, Swanson was promptly transported to the University of Tennessee Medical Center tragically however, he could not be saved and was pronounced dead there. Details from a preliminary investigation suggest that Swanson was riding northbound in the highway’s left lane at the time when another vehicle tried to merge into the center median, resulting in Swanson's motorcycle making contact with the car's rear left side, this account was confirmed by WBIR.
The driver of the vehicle that Swanson's motorcycle collided with was cited for failure to yield, however, no further information regarding this individual's identity or any charges that may follow has been released. WIVK noted that authorities have not reported any injuries to the driver of the car.
The accident investigation is still ongoing, as the Alcoa Police Department continues its work to piece together the events that led to the crash urging anyone who might possess information or video footage of the incident to come forward to assist in their inquiries, individuals with such information are asked to contact Lieutenant Daniel Brooks or Master Police Officer Adam Stephens at 865-981-4111, this request for public assistance was echoed by local news outlets including WATE, WBIR, and WIVK.
