Two killed in separate accidents

FAIRVIEW — Two Scott County men were killed in separate vehicular accidents in a three-day span.

David A. Harness, 29, of Helenwood, was killed in a two-vehicle accident in the Fairview community Monday evening. On Saturday afternoon, Darry D. Smith, 22, of Oneida, was killed in a motorcycle accident in West Oneida.

Monday’s crash occurred around 7:30 p.m., near Baker Highway’s intersection with Benny Lawson Road.

A report filed by Trooper Mark Chitwood of the Tennessee Highway Patrol indicated that the crash occurred when Harness’s westbound GMC Sonoma crossed the center line of Baker Highway and collided head-on with an eastbound Ford Excursion, driven by a Nicole Hedger, 17, of Knoxville.

Scott County EMS transported both Hedger and her passenger—identified as her younger brother—to St. Mary’s of Scott County. Both were airlifted to University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville.

Harness was pinned in his vehicle, requiring Scott County Rescue Squad personnel to extricate him from the wreckage. Reportedly, he died instantly in the crash.

The Scott County Sheriff’s Department and East 63 Volunteer Fire Department assisted at the scene.

Saturday afternoon’s motorcycle accident claimed the life of Darry Delynn Smith, 22, of Oneida. The 2 p.m. accident occurred on Smith Road, located off Coopertown Road in West Oneida.

According to a report filed by Trooper Chitwood, Smith was killed while attempting to “perform a wheelie” on his 2009 Yamaha YZ450 motorcycle.

According to Trooper Chitwood’s report, Smith was southbound on Smith Road when he lost control of the motorcycle, which struck a ditch off the westbound side of the roadway and went airborne before striking a tree.
Smith was pronounced dead at St. Mary’s of Scott County.

Darry Smith is survived by his parents, Tommy and Deanna Smith Pierce. Funeral services were to have been conducted Tuesday at Four Oaks Funeral Home in Oneida.

The Scott County Sheriff’s Department and Scott County EMS assisted at the scene.