KINGSPORT, TN : Kingsport man dies in Wednesday morning crash on Wednesday, November 23rd 2016

Police say an unrestrained driver was killed Wednesday morning following a multi-vehicle crash.The Kingsport Police Department responded to the wreck at the intersection of John B. Dennis Highway and Wilcox Drive at approximately 6:45 a.m.

According to the KPD’s investigation, a 2004 Nissan 350Z driven by Carl E. Smith, 73, Kingsport, was heading north on South John B. Dennis Highway and was approaching traffic stopped at a red light at the intersection with South Wilcox Drive.

A 2015 Jeep Compass was heading south on John B. Dennis and was attempting a legal left turn on a green arrow to the entrance ramp of I-26.

Smith swerved to the right around stopped traffic onto the shoulder, ran the red light and struck the Jeep in a near head-on impact, according to a police department press release. Smith’s car then careened off the Jeep, crossed the median and struck a 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer stopped at a red light on the exit ramp from I-26.

The driver of the Mitsubishi was not injured, and the driver of the Jeep had possible injuries and was transported to Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center as a precaution.

Smith, who was critically injured in the incident, was transported to Holston Valley by EMS. He died shortly after arriving at the hospital.

Smith was not wearing his seat belt during the crash, according to police. The other two drivers were wearing seat belts.

“Wearing a seat belt can easily make the difference in a motorist being seriously injured or killed in a crash versus literally walking away from the crash with minor injuries or completely unscathed,” said Tom Patton, KPD public information officer. “The Kingsport Police Department encourages all occupants of all motor vehicles to wear their seat belt all of the time. It is the law, but more importantly, it might just save a life.”

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Kingsport man dies in Wednesday morning crash