Only 10 days into the New Year and already DeKalb County has recorded its first traffic fatality. An early morning crash on Tuesday, January 10, killed a 38-year-old Sparta man on Highway 70, atop Snow Hill near Trapp Lane.

According to Tennessee Highway Patrol Trooper Brent Collier, at 4:23 am, Rodney A. Henry was traveling east on Highway 70 in a 2004 Ford Ranger. At the same time, 34-year-old Matthew Murphy of Smithville, originally of Springfield, TN, was traveling west in a 2020 Ford Mustang.

Authorities say that Henry’s Ranger crossed over the middle turn lane and entered the west bound lane, striking the Mustang head on. The Mustang traveled a short distance west before coming to a final rest in the westbound right lane. The Ranger overturned and came to a final rest on its top in the middle turn lane.

Along with the THP, the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department, the DeKalb County Fire Department, and DeKalb EMS responded to the scene, along with DeKalb Fire’s Extrication and Rescue Unit.

Murphy was taken to Ascension Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital by DeKalb EMS with non life-threatening injuries. Henry was pronounced dead at the scene. He was reportedly not wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash.