by Ashley Collingsworth/Claiborne Progress
8 months ago | 2613 views | 0

|
16 
|
|
A New Tazewell mother and her two children were killed instantly when the 1991 Mercedes she was driving collided head on with another vehicle.
Della H. Bussell, 47, her daughter Brianna Bussell, 17,, and her son James Bussell, 11, were traveling northbound on Highway 33 Sunday night when Bussell lost control of the vehicle in a curve.
According to police reports, the car initially ran off the road but as Bussell tried to get control of the vehicle, she overcorrected and sent the car into the southbound lane of oncoming traffic.
A Dodge Dakota being driven by Bradley Baker, 17, of Sharps Chapel was traveling southbound when Bussell’s vehicle came toward him head-on.
Baker tried to avoid the collision by steering his truck to the left but the two vehicles struck head on.
Tennessee Highway Patrol, Claiborne County Sheriff’s Office, Claiborne County EMS and South Claiborne Volunteer Fire Department were all dispatched to the scene of the accident. Union County EMS responded to the scene as well.
Bussell and both of her children were killed on impact, according to police.
Lifestar airlifted Baker to the University of Tennessee Medical Center for his injuries.
According to Deputy John Wilson with the Claiborne County Sheriff’s Office, the highway was shut down for over six hours while the accident was reconstructed for investigation.
Clean-up crews worked for hours to get the debris and liquids cleaned from the roadway.
Trooper Josh Mabe with the Tennessee Highway Patrol is investigating the accident.