Driver Charged in Hwy 76/Cross Plains Road Crash
CROSS PLAINS, TENNESSEE: (Smokey Barn News) — A Robertson County man is facing a DUI charge following a two-vehicle crash Tuesday afternoon on Highway 76 at New Hall Road/Cross Plains Road. MAP
According to a preliminary Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) report, the crash occurred just after 5 p.m. on August 18. According to the report, the crash involved a 2023 Ford F-150 driven by 81-year-old John Lowery and a 2018 Buick Enclave driven by a woman who had a child as a passenger.
The THP’s preliminary report indicates both vehicles were traveling on Highway 76 near New Hall Road. The Buick was traveling straight when Lowery, driving the Ford pickup, allegedly followed improperly and struck the rear of the Buick.
THP’s report indicates that neither driver was injured; however, a 12-year-old juvenile passenger in the Buick was transported to an area hospital with no life-threatening injuries.
Lowery was transported to the Robertson County Detention Facility in Springfield. Lowery was charged with Driving Under the Influence and Due Care. He was released on a $3,000 bond. The driver of the Buick was not charged.
The intersection of Highway 76 with New Hall Road/Cross Plains Road has been the scene of numerous crashes over the years, including three in the last week. (ONE, TWO, THREE) Smokey Barn News has included additional crash information, including our communication with State Representative Sabi Kumar regarding the intersection below. The community’s question remains: When will something be done to improve safety at this intersection before more lives are lost?
The THP report is preliminary, and charges are accusations. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court. Report continues below…
Will Hwy 76/New Hall Rd Intersection Get Safety Upgrades?
A 2024 report…
Hwy 76 and New Hall Rd/Cross Plains Rd MAP is an accident-prone spot. Three crashes involved vehicles crashing into the Antique Store, all within a 12-month period.. But, according to Tennessee State Representative Sabi Kumar back in 2024, TDOT says the intersection doesn’t have the stats to warrant additional safety upgrades or a traffic light.
Head-On-Crash On Hwy 76 & New Hall LINK BELOW
Back in 2024, Kumar agreed that the intersection has issues and planned to make a third attempt to convince TDOT to make some changes at the intersection before more people are killed, but apparently that meeting was unsuccessful. “This intersection has been a problem for a few years,” Kumar said via email when Smokey Barn News asked him what was being done to improve safety concerns at the intersection. “Following the June 14, 2022 crash at this intersection, I asked TDOT, for the 2nd time, to conduct a Safety Investigation.”
HWY 76 ROLLOVER 76 New Hall LINK BELOW
According to Representative Kumar in 2024, TDOT responded with the following stats:
“1. There have been 2 minor injury crashes, 10 property damage crashes in the previous 3 years.
According to TDOT, based on this data, the location does not qualify for the Highway Safety Improvement Program, but had the data gone back just three more years, it would have included a fatal crash.
2. In 2020, the Project Safety Office partnered with Region 3 operations to install new oversized stop signs at each side street, and intersection ahead signs with a recommended speed of 35 mph in each direction on SR 76.”
One Life Lost In Fatal Hwy 76 Head-On Crash Thursday LINK BELOW
“I agree that it is time to re-visit this issue,” Kumar said in 2024. “Last year, (2023) 2 parents approached me with concerns that their teenager is starting to drive. They were rightly concerned about safety. Having exhausted my efforts with TDOT, I asked them to gather a group of parents and I will join them to talk with TDOT. They did not follow-up.”
“Can you (Smokey Barn News) help with this effort? We must act before “loss of life!” I will, meanwhile, proceed to ask TDOT for a review again.”
For those of you on Facebook, you can take this opportunity to express your concerns about the intersection and what you think should be done. TDOT will likely read your comments. Smokey Barn News will follow up with Representative Kumar in a few weeks to see if we have any movement.
ACCIDENTS AT: Hwy 76 and Cross Plains/New Hall Rd
Hwy 76 at Cross Plains Rd SEMI/Jeep Crash Into Building VIDEO 3rd crash into building in 12 months.
HWY 76 TRAFFIC ALERT POWER LINES DOWN
TRAFFIC ALERT HIGHWAY 76 NEWHALL RD ROLLOVER JAN 2024
TRAFFIC ALERT HWY 76 NEW HALL ROLLOVER JUNE 2022
One Life Lost In Fatal Hwy 76 Head-On Crash Thursday
Three Expected To Be OK After Head-On-Crash On Hwy 76
ACCIDENTS NEAR: Hwy 76 and Cross Plains/New Hall Rd
Edward Andrews Of Greenbrier Dies In Fatal Highway 76 Crash Near White House
Hwy 76 RE-OPENS Following Fatal Motorcycle Accident Thursday
Flight From Routine Traffic Stop Triggers Serious Charges And Injuries
