BLOUNT COUNTY, Tenn. — A man died after a wreck on West Lamar Alexander Parkway on Sunday.
Ronald Cooper, a 65-year-old, died in the hospital after he hit a vehicle on Sunday while driving a 2008 Harley Davidson motorcycle. The wreck happened around 2 p.m., according to the Tennessee Highway Patrol.
The preliminary report said a driver in a Kia Soul was traveling from Big Springs Road and attempting to cross over West Lamar Alexander Parkway.
Cooper was traveling on that parkway when the Kia Soul driver failed to yield the right-of-way. This caused Cooper to strike the side of the Kia Soul. Cooper was taken to the University of Tennessee Medical Center where he later died due to his injuries, THP said.
The community gathered at Smoky Mountain Harley Davidson Thursday to honor his memory. They said he passed away doing what he loved — riding motorcycles.
"You can't find a finer individual, in many regards, and he's touched so many people's lives," said Scott Maddux, the owner of the venue. "It's amazing the diversity of people Ron Cooper is loved by."