Loudon County woman killed in Highway 72 crash

LOUDON (WATE) - A Loudon County woman was killed after her vehcle ran off Highway 72 Thursday afternoon and struck a tree stump.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol says Patricia Ratliff, 56, was driving northbound around 12:30 p.m. when she ran off the right side of the roadway.

The vehicle struck a culvert and went airborne. It then rolled and struck a four-foot tall tree stump, ejecting Ratliff.

Ratliff was later pronounced dead.

It is not yet known if she was wearing a seat belt.