One Dead In Rhea County Accident

The Tennessee Highway Patrol says a car slammed into a tree in Rhea County and killed one and hurt another in an accident early this morning.

Eric Anthony Byrd's summer visit with his grandparents was cut short this morning when he was killed in a car accident. The 22 year old was not wearing a seatbelt.

Bill Daniels is married to Eric Byrd's grandmother and says the loss is devastating, "Hadn't known him a long time but what I did know of him he was a fine kid. Had dinner with him not too long ago in fact he done the grilling. Ya know he was just a good guy."

Police say Byrd was driving on Logtown Road when he lost control of the car veered off the road hitting a tree. Byrd died instantly while passenger, 22 year old Dalton Glover was taken to the hospital. Police say neither of the boys were wearing safety belts and say its possible that Byrd was drinking, driving and speeding.

Step-grandfather Bill Daniels says Byrd was from Virginia and had only been in town a few months last week he celebrated his birthday...has just celebrated his birthday last week.

"He was my kind of people really thunk the world of him," says Daniels.

Police say the two were traveling faster than road conditions meaning they were going fast enough for the car to slide, fly over a creek and go head on into this tree.

Byrd was less than a mile from where he was visiting and police say had he been wearing his seatbelt he could have made it to twenty three.

"The only thing I can say in terms of this case is if seatbelts had been worn it may have prevented a death...Seatbelt safety is our number one concern and if worn properly they can save your life, " says Rhea County Traffic Officer Aaron Loden.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol tell us a blood alcohol test will be performed on both young men to determine for sure that alcohol was a factor.

"I really hate it, really hate it happened. Really don't know why things like that happen it's a bad thing. Really feel for the family and wish them the best," says Daniels.