DeKalb County emergency officials worked a couple of crashes last week that resulted in injuries, one involving an overturned car, and another a motorcycle.

On Thursday, June 26, at 7:20 am, E-911 dispatchers received a call reporting a two-vehicle accident on Highway 56 South (McMinnville Highway).

According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, a 2018 Dodge Ram, pulling a 16-foot utility trailer, driven by 18-year-old Edwin Alamilla of McMinnville was traveling north on Highway 56. At the same time, a 2015 Jeep Latitude driven by 21-year-old Sergio Ortega of Smithville was traveling south.

Authorities say the Jeep veered across the center line while navigating a curve, colliding with the left rear and left side of the trailer. Following the collision, the Jeep overturned coming to final rest on its top. Ortega stated that he fell asleep while driving, causing him to cross the center line. Charges are pending.

On Friday, June 27, at 4:04 pm, authorities responded to another crash, this time involving a motorcycle. THP officials say that 23-year-old James “JJ” Copeland of Smithville was riding a 2024 Yamaha north on Highway 70 at Sligo Road, at a high rate of speed when he left the right shoulder of the roadway, striking the guardrail.

Copeland landed approximately 150 feet from where the motorcycle crashed into the guardrail. He was flown to Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville with a broken leg. No charges are pending.