Family Of Killed Teen Remembers Him
Two extended families are dealing with an ATV tragedy in southwest Chattoooga County. A high impact crash killed one teenager and critically injured another over the weekend. Tyler Noles remains in critical condition at T.C. Thompson Children's Hospital.
His best friend, Tyler Corn, died en route to a LifeForce helicopter. Tonight, Corn's family wants other teenagers to be careful on their four wheelers.
Pushing back tears, Corn's grandmother recounted the horrible news, "No, he called and told me Tyler had been..." Lula Blalock got that agonizing phone call about her loving grandson Saturday night. Blalock says Corn always hugged her and told her he loved her everytime he parted company.
But the 14 year old Corn had just crashed his ATV when the call happened. His best friend Tyler Noles, also 14, was on back. Neither wore a helmet.
Georgia State Trooper J.E. Massengill says Corn crossed Highway 114 and ran through this gravel driveway, Corn narrowly missed a car parked there, but slammed into a tree and this wagon wheel mailbox.
His father says the impact was tremendous and his son's death devastates his family. But he wants other free wheeling boys to listen. Jamie Blalock told us, " Just put it out there to all the other kids and people just try to be safe and everyone put their prayers to the other Tyler because they're going to need it."
His father stressed more cautious, daytime only riding. His son's last ride happened about 45 minutes after sunset.
The investigating trooper is trying to find out if the driver even saw the parked car. The trooper tells us when he got to the crash scene, this headlight was very weak. Corporal Massengill says its unclear why it was weak, citing the battery may have been drained.
But this teenager had a strong personality. His father and grandmother say he had just turned his life around. Those closest to him describe him the same. His father said, "He's 100% country boy. He loved the outdoors. Judy he loved to ride four wheelers, dirt bikes. I know he's in a better place, we're going to miss him, we're going to miss him."
And his grandmother says his return to church with his mother calms her spirit. "I guess that's one thing that gives me peace. He started back reading his Bible."
Because of Tyler Corn's death, the Georgia State Patrol will file no charges. But Trooper Massengil implores ATV riders to stay off roads, wear a helmet and ride with parental supervision.
