Fatal Crash on May 20, 2018

On May 20, 2018, at approximately 12:15 pm, Murfreesboro Police Officers responded to a crash on S. Church Street at the intersection of Joe B. Jackson Pkwy. The crash involved two vehicles, a 2013 Toyota Sienna van and a 1989 Ford Ranger truck. The investigation has shown that the truck was traveling northbound on S. Church Street, when the driver failed to stop for the red light and struck the van which was traveling southbound on S. Church Street. The van was attempting to turn left onto Joe B. Jackson Pkwy with a green arrow signal.

The truck was occupied by six passengers consisting of the driver and two juveniles in the cab, along with one adult and two juveniles in the truck bed. The collision caused the three passengers in the bed of the truck to be ejected with one suffering life ending injuries.

The driver of the truck sustained serious injuries and was transported from the scene to Vanderbilt University Medical Center by LifeFlight. The adult passenger ejected from the truck bed was transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center by Rutherford County Emergency Medical Services. The other three juvenile passengers of the truck were transported to Saint Thomas Rutherford where one was later transferred to Vanderbilt University Hospital. All are in stable condition at this time.

The two occupants of the van were evaluated on scene by Murfreesboro Fire Rescue Department and Rutherford County Emergency Medical Services personnel and released with no injuries.

The driver of the truck was identified as James Utley (dob 11-29-1996) of Murfreesboro. The deceased passenger was a 16 year old female.

The occupants of the van were identified as Luther Hix and Shirley Hix of Murfreesboro. The crash investigation is ongoing, however, alcohol is believed to be a factor in this crash.

Charges are pending the outcome of the investigation.