FAYETTEVILLE, Tenn. (WHNT) — Monday night, members of the Lincoln County community gathered together to pray for the Smith family after a deadly wreck on I-75 near Chattanooga on Mother’s Day.
On Sunday, a truck pulling cargo for Amazon hit six cars on I-75, with two of the cars catching fire in the crash. Two people were killed and eight others were injured and taken to nearby hospitals. The Smith family was among those injured in the wreck.
Tammy Carpenter, the owner of Little Blessings Childcare, hosted the prayer vigil inside the daycare. She said they have taken care of the youngest son since he was six weeks old.
“I’ve been in business for 30 years, and I’ve never had this happen,” Carpenter said. “But when you have them from when they’re six weeks old, you have them as much as the parents do. So they feel like your own.”
The Smith family was driving back to Fayetteville after their eldest daughter’s dance recital when they were hit by the truck. Lane Smith died in the crash. Bayleigh Smith, their 8-year-old daughter Brynlee and their 22-month-old son Sawyer are fighting for their lives.
“Their car caught on fire and they all were hurt bad. Mr. Smith died. The mom has a broken back, broken ribs, broken jaw and was burnt. Brynlee is in Vanderbilt. She’s in the burn unit. She got burnt severely, and she has broken bones,” Carpenter said.
Carpenter said that after the wreck, Sawyer was found by emergency responders under the motor of the family’s car, still in his car seat.
“Sawyer’s gonna have to have a miracle to come through. So, we know a man that can work those miracles. So, we’re praying to Jesus tonight. The community came together to pray to Jesus for this family,” Carpenter said.
Monday night, community members filled the daycare to pray for the Smiths, including daycare employee Macey Widner, who says she’s taken care of Sawyer every day since he started coming there.
“I felt like my heart stopped for a minute and um I didn’t really know who to go to I just knew they needed prayers,” Widnery said. “I was just tell him how much Miss Macey loves him and can’t wait to see him again.”
The driver of the tractor-trailer truck that caused the crash was also injured and taken to the hospital. He was later arrested after being medically cleared.
The driver has been identified as Joseph Antoinier.
According to our CBS affiliate WDEF in Chattanooga, witnesses of the crash told Tennessee investigators Antoinier was driving erratically before the crash.
“This is a horrible tragedy, and our thoughts are with all those involved. We’re cooperating with all investigations.”
Amber Plunkett, Amazon spokesperson
Amazon confirmed that the carrier involved in the crash was part of their Relay Program.
“Amazon Relay is our online portal that allows authorized third-party carriers to haul freight loads on behalf of Amazon. This enables thousands of small- and medium-sized businesses to pick up freight on their schedule. Whether it be one-off loads or more frequent, Relay offers flexible options for third-party carriers. We have rigorous safety criteria for carriers, and suggesting otherwise is inaccurate and would be intentionally misleading.”
Amber Plunkett, Amazon spokesperson
Antoinier has been charged with two counts of reckless homicide, seven counts of felony reckless endangerment and three counts of reckless aggravated assault.
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