The Traffic Unit of the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office is continuing investigation of a head-on collision that occurred around 8:30 Sunday night in the 1800 Block of Benton Pike. Witnesses reported an eastbound Chevrolet Cavalier driven by Chad D. Smith, 23, collided with a Ford Focus going in the opposite direction being driven by Jane Howard, 68.

Both drivers were pronounced dead at the scene. Four passengers in the Cavalier were airlifted to Erlanger Medical Center with serious injuries. Collin Smith, 15, died later at Erlanger from injuries he received in the accident. Joey Soto, 16, Jeremy Suits, 15, and Jack Murphy, 16, are still being treated at the hospital and were in critical condition on Monday morning.

Initial investigation and witness statements indicate contributing factors to the accident were the Cavalier passing on a double yellow line and speed. The Bradley County Fire and Rescue Unit, the Cleveland Police Department, and the Tennessee Highway Patrol all provided assistance at the scene of the accident. Traffic on APD 40 was shut down so the air ambulances could land close to the scene.