Two confirmed dead in accident on Chapman Highway involving Maryville church van
By J.J. Kindred | (jj.kindred@thedailytimes.com)
Two people were killed and about ten injured during a two-vehicle accident Sunday morning in Sevier County that involved a Blount County church van.
According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, the accident occurred at approximately 9:30 a.m. on Chapman Highway near the intersection of Zion Hill Church Road in Seymour.
The accident involved a van with 12 passengers from Cedar Grove Baptist Church, located at 5302 Nails Creek Road in Maryville, and a Chevrolet Blazer with one person inside.
The Blazer crossed over the center line on the highway and hit the van head-on.
At least two LifeStar helicopters and three ambulances transported victims from the accident to area hospitals. It was confirmed that two people died and two others were taken to the University of Tennessee Medical Center.
A Cedar Grove church member said 12 church members were returning from a weekend youth retreat in Gatlinburg when it happened.
“They went up Friday to come back Sunday. We were at the church when we got the call,” the church member said. “We’re walking around in the fog. We didn’t know what to do.”
Bob Lynch, pastor of Cedar Grove Baptist Church, was with the victims and their families at UT Medical Center, and the church canceled its Sunday evening services and invited those who wanted to pray to church if they wished.
The victims names have not yet been released.
