Paris, Tenn.–A three-vehicle accident Monday night claimed the life of a Henry County man and injured another driver.
Lt. Jena Eubanks of the Tennessee Highway Patrol released information on the collision this morning.
Killed in the accident was Justin Kemppainen, age 41, of Puryear.
Injured in the accident was Jendayi Hamilton, age 29, of Paris, who was driving one of the other vehicles.
The accident occurred at 4:49 p.m. near the intersection of Hwy. 641 and Whitlock Road. The roadway was blocked off while emergency personnel responded to the accident, which involved entrapment. An Air Evac helicopter reportedly responded at the scene.
According to the THP report, vehicles driven by Michelle Yoon, age 51, and Kemppainen were northbound on Hwy. 641 while Hamilton was southbound. Yoon was driving a 2011 Kia Forte, Kemppainen was driving a 2009 Ford Focus and Hamilton was driving a 2006 Chevrolet Uplander.
All three drivers were wearing seatbelts, according to the report.
Hamilton slowed to make a left hand turn when Kemppainen reportedly sideswiped the rear of the vehicle. This caused Kemppainen to enter the southbound land and crash into Hamilton’s vehicle headon.
Passengers in Hamilton’s vehicle were children aged 7 and 5, both of whom were properly wearing child restraint devices. Neither of the children were injured.