GARY JESSE of Knox County died Tuesday afternoon after crashing his car on Interstate 75 northbound. He was the first traffic fatality in 2012 in Bradley County. The crash occurred within the city limits of Cleveland, near mile marker 26. Banner photo, GREG KAYLOR
Gary Jesse, 59, died in a single-vehicle crash on Interstate 75.
Jesse was traveling northbound near mile marker 26 when his car went out of control and struck a guardrail, ripping the rail from the ground and entering the driver’s compartment of his car.
Jesse was pronounced dead on the scene, according to Bradley County Emergency Medical Service personnel.
According to a report filed by Tennessee Highway Patrol, Jesse was from Knox County and was traveling north just after 5 p.m. when the crash occurred.
Traffic along I-75 was congested and stopped at times as Jesse was extricated from his overturned vehicle, which came to rest along another section of guardrail.
According to a witness at the scene who gave a statement to THP Trooper Trey Seymour, there was no apparent reason the driver lost control of his car.
Assisting at the scene were Cleveland Fire Department and Cleveland Police personnel.
Investigation is being conducted by Trooper Pumpy Tudors of the THP.
Campbell said Tuesday evening that the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office Lifesaver campaign is continuing.
“It takes only a second for lives to be changed or lost,” Campbell said.
“We take any fatality seriously and continue to work hard to save lives through this campaign to raise driving safety awareness.”
Traffic fatalities statewide were down in 2011.
