Shawn Brown, 7, of Cleveland, and Everett Catlett, 26, of McMinn County were both seated in the passenger seat and were killed, according to Blu Walker, traffic investigator for Bradley County Sheriff’s Office.
Denny Catlett, 28, was listed as the driver of the vehicle and passengers Chris Summers, 21, and Patrick Mathers, 4, were treated and released from SkyRidge Medical Center.
Bob Gault, media relations coordinator for the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office, said the adults were from McMinn County and the children were listed as Cleveland residents.
The crash occurred just before 3 p.m. near the intersection of Bellfounte Road, across from Bellfounte Baptist Church.
According to initial reports from the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Unit, Catlett was driving the Ford Explorer north on North Lee when he went off the roadway, overcorrected and went across the centerline into the opposite lane of travel.
The vehicle then traveled off the roadway of the opposite lane and struck two trees, according to reports.
Bradley County Fire Rescue and Bradley County Emergency Medical Service aided in extrication of the victims.
According to a BCEMS supervisor, Brown was dead at the scene and the four other victims were taken by ambulance to SkyRidge Medical Center.
Everett Catlett died a short time later, according to reports.
Their deaths marked the 11th and 12th fatalities reported in Bradley County this year and the third fatality in just a few days.
A woman died early Sunday in a two-vehicle crash on Georgetown Road near the intersection of 20th Street N.E.
Walker said there was no preliminary indication of alcohol use involved in Wednesday’s crash and it appeared all occupants were wearing seat belts, according to his preliminary investigation.
“Life is precious,” said Sgt. Andy Smith of the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office.
“Things can change in an instant. We continue with project Lifesaver and encourage drivers to slow down.” He added speeding can lead to “serious injury or death,” and is not worth taking the risk.
