KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Update (6/7): The Knoxville Police Department has identified two people who died in a car wreck on Western Avenue Thursday afternoon.
31-year-old Krista Maples, 74-year-old Clayton Chandler and Maples' 10-year-old son died in the wreck, according to KPD.
Three other children were injured in the crash. As of late Friday morning, they remain hospitalized with serious injuries, KPD said.
Evidence from the scene suggests that those who died were not wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash, according to KPD.
The investigation remains ongoing.
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Previous (6/6):
The Knoxville Police Department said three people are dead and several others were injured in a crash on Western Avenue. KPD said the crash happened in the 6000 block of Western Avenue Thursday afternoon. It involved three cars.
KPD said, based on witness statements and evidence found at the scene, investigators believe a Chevrolet Suburban was heading west on Western Avenue when it veered into eastbound lanes and hit another car head-on. It said that another car heading east then struck the Chevrolet Suburban as well.
KPD said the driver of the Suburban may have had a medical event that contributed to the crash. The driver of that car, a man, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The car the Suburban hit had a woman and a 10-year-old boy inside, both of whom were pronounced dead at the scene. There were three other child passengers in the car — ages 8, 4, and 2 years old. All three were taken to the University of Tennessee Medical Center with serious injuries.
The driver of the third car, the only person inside it, had minor injuries.
Western was closed in both directions between Short Road and John May Drive, KPD said.
KPD said it is still investigating the cause of the crash and the identities of anyone injured or killed in the crash was not immediately available.
