Weekend Hwy 76 Crash Turns Fatal

Weekend Hwy 76 Crash Turns Fatal

WHITE HOUSE: (Smokey Barn News) – A two-vehicle violent fiery head-on crash on Hwy 76/Portland Rd. Saturday that initially sent two people to the hospital has turned fatal, according to the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

The crash occurred just before 3:30 pm on Hwy 76/Portland Rd/White House Rd near Circle Drive. MAP Hwy 76 was closed for several hours while the THP investigated the crash.

The head-on crash sent both vehicles spinning. One of the vehicles was engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived. Due to the work of first responders, neither driver was burned.

Both victims were transported to local hospitals via ground, one in serious condition and a second patient in stable condition. Now, according to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, one of the drivers has died.

According to the investigating Trooper, 22-year-old Chris Brooks of Cottontown, driving West on Hwy 76 in a 2005 Ford/F150, ran off the roadway on the right side. Brooks overcorrected and crossed the center line directly into the path of an eastbound 2009 Pontiac VGT driven by 65-year-old Paul Murray of Lebanon Tennessee. Both vehicles collided head-on.

The F150 went down a slight embankment struck a wire fence and ended up in a yard and caught on fire as a result of the crash.

Drivers of both vehicles were entrapped. Both Drivers were transported to Skyline in Nashville due to their injuries. 65-year-old Paul Murray of Lebanon Tennessee succumbed to his injuries on Monday.

Both drivers were wearing safety restraints.

According to the THP, charges were already pending for Chris Brooks before Murray’s passing. The specifics of the charges were not immediately available. Whether Murray’s passing will affect the disposition of charges for Brooks is unknown at this time.

Agencies from across the area were called out to the scene including the White House Community Volunteer Fire Department, Sumner County EMS, the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office, and the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

Smokey Barn News has been in contact with the family of Paul Murray. The family is understandably devastated by Paul’s passing. A Go-Fund-Me page to help with burial expenses is currently being set up by family members. As soon as we have the link we will add it to this report. Reload this page for updates.

Murray’s passing brings the Saturday death total to three in the White House/Robertson County area.

Later that evening, a rollover crash on New Hall Road near White House claimed two lives. The crash occurred around 10:30 pm on New Hall Road near Hwy 31W. FULL STORY

PHOTOS BELOW Hwy 76/Portland Rd: Credit: Mark Stribling