Athens man killed when dump truck collides with pickup

By News Sentinel staff

 

LENOIR CITY — An Athens man was killed Tuesday when his pickup collided with a dump truck loaded with rock in Loudon County.

The driver of the 2005 Kenworth dump truck, Keith L. Hill, 59, of Knoxville lost control while driving south on Hotchkiss Valley Road about 2:24 p.m., according to a report by Tennessee Highway Patrol Trooper Rodney Best.

The dump truck dropped off the right shoulder of the roadway, the driver overcorrected and crossed into the northbound lane, striking a 2004 Chevrolet SK1 pickup.

The pickup's driver, Donny D. Charles, 59, of Athens was killed.

A passenger in the pickup, Timothy J. Widner, 31, of Athens was injured.

Routine drug and alcohol tests were requested for Hill and Charles.

It's unknown if any of the three was wearing a safety belt, according to the report.

Citations and charges are pending, according to the report.