The accident occurred shortly after midnight, according to Bob Gault, public relations and media coordinator for the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office.
“Dispatchers issued a ‘Be On the Lookout’ for a vehicle traveling north in the southbound lane. Then we received notification that there were two vehicles that struck head-on,” said Gault.
Dustin N. Ledford, 24, of Cleveland, has been identified as the victim in the crash.
According to Gault, the accident occurred near the Overhead Bridge Road and Benton Pike exits.
An unnamed female, driving a 2002 Ford Taurus, was traveling in the wrong direction along APD-40 and struck Ledford, who was driving a 1990 Toyota Camry.
The Bradley County Emergency Medical Service paramedics transported Ledford to SkyRidge Medical Center, where he died approximately an hour later.
The woman was reportedly airlifted to Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga. At press time, Gault said the woman remained in the Erlanger Intensive Care Unit.
The Cleveland Police Department, Bradley County Fire Rescue also assisted with the crash.
Gault said the BCSO is continuing the investigation into the crash.
There have been 14 traffic fatalities in Bradley County since Jan. 1 and 3 fatalities have occurred on APD-40.
According to Gault, more than half of the accidents have occurred on I-75.
