Maryville, TN : Six people dead and three injured after a two vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 411 in Blount County on Thursday night

A crash in Blount County on Highway 411 killed six people Thursday night.

According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, an Isuzu Rodeo SUV was traveling northbound on US Highway 411 and crossed over into the southbound lane, hitting head-on a minivan that was carrying eight people, including the driver.

It happened around 10:15 p.m. Thursday, near Springview Baptist Church, or around 1.5 miles past the exit for Highway 129.

The crash killed the drivers of both vehicles, along with an adult passenger and three children riding in the minivan. One of the children killed was an infant.

Two additional kids and one adult who where also riding in the minivan were injured in the crash, said THP at the scene. The three injured were taken to UT Medical Center.

"It's terrible for first responders, it's terrible for everybody. These things, you know loss of life is so precious, and when you lose so much in one setting it's almost compounding," said Lt. Don Boshears. "I really don't know that I can explain it. We have adults and children who have both lost their lives and it's very, very tragic."

THP has not released the names of the people involved in the crash.

All lanes on Highway 411 are back open.

This is not the first time a fatal crash has happened along this stretch of Highway 411. Last year, a Tellico Plains woman died after a speeding car lost control and hit her. Lola Walker was 72. The other driver, Jason Dyer, is facing several charges, including vehicular homicide.

Back in 2012, a head-on collision in the same area of highway resulted in a new state law. John Perkins hit and killed Amelia Keown, 16, when he crossed the center line while driving high on drugs. Perkins later died from his injuries. Amelia's family lobbied to create a law that allows a judge to order people convicted of drug or alcohol related crimes to wear a device that will allow authorities to track drug use.

Source :
Sixth person dies in head-on collision in Blount County