A 16-year-old driver died in a crash with a bear on a rural road in Campbell County this past weekend. According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, the incident occurred around 8:15 p.m. last Saturday when a black bear crossed in front of the pickup truck, leading to the collision.
As per the WVLT report, the teenager, operating an older model Toyota Tacoma, was traveling southbound along Stinking Creek Road when the accident happened. The vehicle, failing to avoid the animal, hit the bear with substantial force, leading to severe consequences for the driver. The bear walked in front of the truck, THP added, failing to cite if it had survived.
According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, as reported by WATE, the 16-year-old driver was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash. After hitting the bear, the vehicle came to an "uncontrolled final rest out of the roadway." While the driver died from their injuries, another 16-year-old passenger was injured in the incident.
Authorities have not released the names of the teenagers due to their juvenile status. According to WBIR, after hitting the bear, the car stopped on the road, and law enforcement said the teens couldn't avoid the sudden obstacle.
