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THP identifies driver killed in fatal Thursday morning crash on Chapman Highway

Investigators said one driver was injured and the second driver was killed.

KNOXVILLE, Tennessee — Update (4/12/19): Donnie Surber, 48, was killed in a crash on Chapman Highway at Tipton Station Road Thursday morning, according to the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

Surber was not wearing a seat belt, a crash report from THP said. 

Isaac Lynn, 28, was injured in the crash. 

Lynn was driving a 2015 Chevy Malibu north on Chapman Highway when he allegedly crossed the center divide into the southbound lanes, striking Surber's vehicle head-on, the report said. 

RELATED: 10Investigates: 76 deaths on Chapman Highway since 2005

Surber was driving a 2006 Toyota Sequoya at the time of the crash.

After hitting Surber's car, Lynn's car came to an uncontrolled rest facing west on both southbound lanes, according to the report. Surber's car came to an uncontrolled rest facing southwest partially in lane 2 on top of a guardrail.

Lynn was trapped in the driver's seat and had to be extricated from the car, the report said. He was then taken to UT Medical Center. 

Surber was found dead on the scene, according to the report. 

According to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, two people have died in the 22-mile stretch of Chapman Highway from Knoxville to Sevierville from January 1, 2019, through February 1, 2019. This would be the third death on Chapman Highway in 2019. 

On Friday, Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs said he believes creating an alternative route should be considered in the future. 

“The existing plan for the James White Parkway extension will not work because it doesn’t go far enough down Chapman Highway to relieve the volume of traffic needed. As the community continues to grow and the volume of traffic from the interstate to South Knox County increases, (Jacobs) believes a new alternative route should be considered as a long-term solution and he is looking forward to working with the City of Knoxville and TDOT on potential options.”

Original Story (4/11/19): One person died in a crash on Chapman Highway at Tipton Station Road Thursday morning, according to Tennessee Highway Patrol.

THP said the crash happened around 4 a.m. and involved two vehicles.

Investigators said one driver was injured and the second driver was killed.

As of 4 p.m. Thursday, the next of kin had not been notified.

This story will be updated as the investigation continues and more information becomes available.

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