The two men killed in Thursday’s 7:50 a.m. three-vehicle collision on Whites Creek Pike near Sycamore Creek Road are identified as Andy O. Hernandez, 22, and Jonathan J. Palafox-Pacheco, 20, both of Springfield, Tennessee.
The preliminary investigation shows that a 2023 Chevrolet Malibu, driven by Robin Bernard, 70, of Portland, Tennessee, was traveling south on Whites Creek Pike when he failed to negotiate a curve in the roadway at Sycamore Creek Road. The car crossed over into the northbound lanes of Whites Creek Pike colliding with a GMC Sierra pickup truck. The driver of a dump truck, who was also traveling southbound on Whites Creek Pike, braked after seeing the crash but was unable to avoid hitting the Malibu. Palafox-Pacheco died at the scene. Hernandez was transported to Skyline Medical Center where he died. Bernard was also transported to Skyline Medical Center with life-threatening injuries.
The driver of GMC Sierra and his front seat passenger were transported to Skyline Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries. The driver of the dump truck was not injured.
There were no indications of impairment among any of the occupants. The investigation will be staffed by the District Attorney’s Office upon its completion.