NEW TAZEWELL, Tenn. — A child from New Tazewell died Monday and several others were injured in a single vehicle accident in Claiborne County.
The victim is 11-year-old Amber Nicole Caldwell.
The van Caldwell and several others were traveling in crashed around 8:48 a.m. on Mountain Road, just off Highway 33 near DeRoyal Industries. The van was traveling northbound when one wheel went off the road on the right side. Troopers say the driver over-corrected, went across the road into an open pasture and the van overturned. Several of the occupants were ejected from the vehicle, including Amber Caldwell. No one was wearing a seat belt. Charges are pending, said Tennessee Highway Patrol Trooper Bobby Brooks, the on-scene officer.
“This is a tragic reminder of how important it is to wear seatbelts,” said Mike Browning, spokesman for the Tennessee Highway Patrol. “The trooper indicated that seatbelt use in this situation could have prevented death and serious injury,” Browning stated.
Caldwell’s step-mother, 30-year-old Skye Caldwell and 11-year-old Charity Lawson were flown to University of Tennessee Medical Center by Lifestar, and according to Trooper Brooks, the two remain in serious condition.
The four other injured children were taken to Claiborne County Hospital by ambulance. They include six-year-old Glen Caldwell, nine-year-old Jake Caldwell, seven-year-old Jacob Caldwell and six-year-old Porshaia Morris.
Police were still on the scene Monday afternoon, one lane had been opened to allow traffic to pass through.
Brandy Murray Calvert is a Staff Writer for the Daily News. Contact her via e-mail at bmurray@middlesborodailynews.com.
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