Victims Identified

Wilkinsons identified in accident

GREG KAYLOR, Banner Staff Writer Cleveland Daily Banner

The driver and passenger killed in a single-car crash on Interstate 75 early Saturday evening have been identified as a couple from Loudon. (Tellico Village)

According to Tennessee Highway Patrol reports, Judith Wilkinson, 70, was driving the PT Cruiser which was headed northbound on the Interstate.

The crash occurred about 6 p.m. near mile marker 21.

Her husband, Victor Wilkinson, 75, was the passenger in the vehicle.

Trooper Gray Gibson, who is in charge of the investigation, said Saturday that the Wilkinsons were headed northbound on I-75 when they reportedly left the roadway on the left side, overcorrected toward the right and struck an embankment and rolled several times before coming to a stop.

Gibson’s information came from witness accounts.

Cleveland Fire Department, Tennessee Department of Transportation, Bradley County Emergency Medical Service and Bradley County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the scene; however, both occupants of the vehicle died on the scene. Both victims were reportedly wearing their seat belts.

Troopers were able to get one lane of the roadway reopened after about an hour.

Also assisting Gibson at the scene were troopers Thomas Clower and Sgt. Tim Aslinger.

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10/12/10