Robertson County Restaurant Owner Killed In Crash
ORLINDA TENNESSEE: (Smokey Barn News) – In 2020 Darcy Fournier was pronounced dead twice following a crash that came within inches of taking his life. The near-death experience (that left him in a coma for six weeks) motivated him to pursue his dream of opening a Cafe. Earlier this year Fournier would do just that. Back in April, Fournier would open Southern Comfort Cafe on Hwy 52 in Orlinda. It was (in his words) “a journey.” Now it would seem that fate has stepped in again. Smokey Barn News has confirmed that on Saturday, November 18th Fournier was killed in a head-on crash in Kentucky.
The crash was investigated by the Logan County Sheriff’s Office. According to their report obtained by Smokey Barn News, the first call came into 911 at 10:44 am. It was a two-vehicle head-on crash near the intersection of Friendship Road and Franklin Rd. LOCATION OF CRASH
Upon arrival, Deputies found two vehicles, both off the roadway with severe damage. The Auburn Rural Fire Department employed the Jaws Of Life to extricate both drivers. According to the report, 55-year-old Fournier was traveling eastbound when Roger Carrol of Portland TN (who was traveling west) allegedly crossed the center line and struck Fournier’s vehicle head-on. Fournier was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Logan County Coroner’s Office.
Roger Carrol survived the crash and was transported to Logan Memorial Hospital and later transferred to Skyline Hospital for his injuries. Officials in Logan County say the investigation is ongoing but their accident investigator indicated alcohol was a contributing factor and charges will be submitted to the Commonwealth Attorney Neil Kerr’s Office.
Fournier lived in Cross Plains but had recently closed the cafe and moved to Russellville Kentucky where he was rumored to have plans to open a cafe there.
Back in April, Fournier told Smokey Barn News that he once had a successful restaurant in West Virginia. FULL STORY After becoming a single father, he accepted an offer to become the Vice President of a Property Management company that saw him close his restaurant and relocate to Portland TN. He excelled but missed having a restaurant. After years of dreaming and planning, Fournier carefully picked the spot in Orlinda Tennessee, and opened Southern Comfort Cafe.
Southern Comfort Cafe specialized in Southern Comfort foods featuring homemade biscuits with homemade sausage gravy. In an interview with Smokey Barn News back in April, Fournier said- “We make most items from scratch including various desserts and we have daily non-menu specials like chicken and dumplings or pot pie…all homemade,” Fournier was clearly excited to be part of the Orlinda community and even more so that his dream had come to life.
It was a long road from coma to the grand opening of the Southern Comfort Cafe. Fournier’s story really started on February 11, 2020. It was raining heavily that day and I65 in and out of Kentucky was shut down for 3 hours due to the weather and road conditions.
Fournier waited on the highway roadside with 300-plus other vehicles until State Police allowed passage. Instructions were; -Stay below 45 miles per hour, Fournier said he complied. The rain let up as he entered Mumfordville, Kentucky and traffic was allowed to increase speed.
Minutes later Fournier hydroplaned and spun out into the median of I-65. He was scared but otherwise unharmed until a tractor-trailer also hydroplaned on the southbound side, colliding with his Prius in the median.
Fournier had to be cut from the vehicle. EMTs worked for 16 minutes before pronouncing him dead at the scene, Fournier said. EMTs finally got a pulse and rushed him to Louisville Hospital where he needed two emergency surgeries but that would have to wait until he was stable. He died a second time at the hospital but was revived again. Later he had both surgeries but lapsed into a Coma. Fournier said he awoke a month and a half later and was told he suffered a traumatic brain injury and most likely would never move or talk again.
Fournier would not walk for 2 years- until July of 2022 when he started walking and talking. Fournier promised himself that if he continued to improve he would once again open a cafe. For the full story from Fournier’s grand opening in Orlinda CLICK HERE.
Fournier’s final words to Smokey Barn News back in April, “Dreams don’t die if you never give up.”
A celebration of life for Mr. Fournier was held today (Tuesday) at Wilkinson & Wiseman Funeral Home in Portland Tennessee. CLICK HERE for his online obituary.
Smokey Barn News would like to thank the Logan County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance with this report. We value their commitment to the community and to transparency.
