Bicyclists injured: Two Maryville men injured in hit-and-run
By Wes Wade (wes.wade@thedailytimes.com)
Two Maryville bicyclists were injured in a hit-and-run accident on State Highway 73 in Townsend Thursday afternoon.
Rural/Metro Ambulance Service transported the unidentified men to Blount Memorial Hospital at around 4 p.m. where one of the victims was treated and released, Townsend Police Officer Tony Rayburn said.
The other victim was still being treated Thursday night but was stable, he added.
“They were in quite a bit of pain,” Townsend Police Officer Tony Rayburn said. “They were pretty beat and banged up.”
According to witness’s statements, an older-model red car — possibly a four-door sedan — struck the bicycles as the two men rode along the highway near Cowboy Tubin’, 8224 State Highway 73.
Due to a lack of tread marks on the roadway, it was still unclear exactly where on the street’s path the accident occurred or how it happened, police said.
“Apparently the (driver) never hit the brakes,” Rayburn said.
Witnesses told police they thought the driver may have been male but could not be sure.
“Quite obviously it could have been a female, too, because it happened so fast,” Rayburn said. “They just said (the driver) didn’t have shirt sleeves, particularly.”
Authorities said they would have a better understanding of the incident after collecting full statements from both victims and other witnesses. The victims were unable to provide complete accounts at the scene because of their injuries, Rayburn said.
The hit-and-run vehicle, which witnesses described as beat-up, was last seen shortly after 3:30 p.m. heading west toward Maryville at a high rate of speed.
