One person was killed last Sunday morning, at approximately 12:48 am, after being involved in a freak car accident.

The crash occurred at 7737 Sparta Highway, in Johnsons Chapel area where, according to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, a 2017 Red Ford F150 was traveling west on Highway 70 in Dekalb County near Jack Hudson Road.  

Authorities say the pickup collided with a deer and ran off the right side of the roadway. It continued traveling up the side of an embankment and overturned. The vehicle came to final rest on its top, facing south across both lanes of US 70. 

Officials say, there were five (5) occupants in the truck, and as a result of the crash, one passenger was decapitated.  The occupant was not wearing a seatbelt.  The names have not been released.

DeKalb County Fire Department’s Johnsons Chapel engine, and their Extrication Unit, responded to the scene, along with deputies with the DeKalb Sheriff’s Department, and a unit with DeKalb EMS. The Tennessee Highway Patrol’s Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) also responded to help in the investigation.