On Mother’s Day, tragedy struck in Fayetteville, Tennessee, when a man lost his life in a serious multi-vehicle accident near Chattanooga. The East Ridge Police Department reported that emergency responders were dispatched to I-75 North, where a collision involving six passenger vehicles and a tractor-trailer had occurred. Upon arrival, first responders encountered a chaotic scene, with two of the vehicles engulfed in flames.
Emergency personnel worked diligently to extricate individuals trapped in the wreckage, focusing on lifesaving efforts as their top priority. All those involved in the incident were transported to local medical facilities for treatment. Unfortunately, the crash claimed the lives of two individuals. Among the deceased was Lane Smith, a resident of Fayetteville, Tennessee. The identity of the second victim, who hailed from Dawsonville, Georgia, has not yet been released.
Lane Smith is survived by his wife, Baleigh, and their two young children, Sawyer and Brynlee. Reports indicate that Lane succumbed to his injuries, while his wife and son remain hospitalized in critical condition. Their daughter was airlifted to a medical center in Nashville for further care. A GoFundMe campaign titled “Honoring Lane’s Life and Supporting His Family” has been established to assist with medical expenses and support for the family during this difficult time.
The collision resulted in a total of two fatalities and seven injuries, including those of Smith’s children. Authorities have also reported the arrest of 65-year-old Joseph Antoinier, who faces multiple felony warrants in connection with the incident.