3 still hospitalized after fatal crash
Wrong-way driver to blame
12/4/2012NEWPORT, Tenn. - Two adults and one child remained hospitalized Monday following a weekend wrong-way crash in Tennessee that killed a Toledo woman.
Kristy Lynn Jones, 35, of Toledo was killed after the vehicle she was driving was struck early Saturday by a wrong-way driver, Dan Williams, 39, of Newport, Tenn. The crash injured Ms. Jones’ passenger Ronald Boone, 36, of Oregon, Ohio, who was in serious condition Monday at the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville.
A police report indicated three children in Ms. Jones’ vehicle also were injured. The children were transported to the Knoxville hospital, said Tennessee Highway Patrol spokesman Jennifer Donnals. A hospital spokesman, however, said its records did not indicate whether Aolani Boone, 1, of Oregon, or Rachel Jones, 11, of Oregon were patients. The hospital did not provide information regarding a third child, Amanda Koster, 13, of Toledo.
Amanda suffered internal and external injuries, and doctors planned to use a halo to stabilize her neck, according to Lester Arnold, of Toledo, who said he is the boyfriend of Amanda’s mother Deanna Goddard. Ms. Goddard went to Tennessee to be with her daughter, he said.
Mr. Arnold said Aolani and Rachel were both out of the hospital. He said Aolani suffered cuts, and Rachel had a broken arm and leg. The group was headed to Disney World when the crash occurred, he said.
Mr. Williams was listed in critical condition Monday at the University of Tennessee Medical Center.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol is investigating the crash and will work with the Cocke County district attorney regarding possible charges, said highway patrol spokesman Jennifer Donnals. A vehicle driven by Mr. Williams was traveling west in the eastbound lanes of I-40 in Newport; the two vehicles collided head on, according to a police report. Ms. Donnals said there were signs Mr. Williams was impaired, and a toxicology report will be done but could take several weeks to complete. She did not expect any charges to be filed Monday.
Mr. Williams and Amanda were not wearing seatbelts, according to a police report.
- Vanessa McCray