Local rescuers worked the scene of a scary crash last week that injured a small child not yet two years of age. The child and its mother were rushed to Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital by a personal vehicle, where the child was later flown to Vanderbilt Medical Center by Lifeflight.

According to Trooper Chris Delong of the Tennessee Highway Patrol, on Thursday, March 7, 41-year-old Amanda Maples of Walling, and her young child, were traveling westbound on Highway 70, in front of DeKalb Market, in a 2016 Jeep Wrangler.

At the same time, a 2008 Kenworth T30 disposal truck hauling a dumpster, driven by 45-year-old Christopher Finch of Shelbyville, was traveling just behind the Jeep. Finch was working for 5-Star Disposal.

Authorities say that a black pickup had stopped in the middle of the roadway due to debris being in the road. Maples came to slow stop, but the Kenworth was unable to stop and struck the Jeep, causing disabling damage to both vehicles. The Jeep rolled and came to a final rest on its side in the eastbound lane.

Deputies with the DeKalb Sheriff’s Department, DeKalb EMS, and the DeKalb Fire Department responded to the scene, but Maples and the child had already left for the hospital in a POV. Maples received minor injuries, while Finch sustained no injuries. Finch was later cited for failure to exercise due care and for expired tags. Both Maples and the child were believed to have been properly restrained in the vehicle at the time of the crash.

Trooper Delong was assisted in the crash investigation by Lieutenant Eric McCormick of the Tennessee Highway Patrol.