1 dead in Vietnam Vets pileup

Allied Waste truck and Pepsi among vehicles in the crash

By Eric Miller • Hendersonville Star News • March 15, 2010

One woman was killed and another person injured in a multiple-car pileup on Vietnam Veterans Boulevard early Monday morning.

According to Hendersonville police, an Allied Waste truck lost a trailer, resulting in the crash at approximately 5:20 a.m. The truck was traveling eastbound on Vietnam Veterans.

The trailer became detached from the cab of the truck, according to Mike Browning, Tennessee Highway Patrol spokesman.

Two vehicles, a 1999 Honda Prelude and a 1998 Mazda minivan struck the trailer, causing the empty dumpster container being hauled on the trailer to fall into the road, resulting in a second crash when it was struck by a Pepsi truck, Browning said.

The driver of the Honda, 50-year-old Freeda J. Simmons, of Gallatin, was transported to Vanderbilt Medical Center. She was pronounced dead at 7:34 a.m., Browning said.

Jada Pratt, 29, of Goodlettsville, driver of the minivan, was transported to Hendersonville Medical Center, where she was treated and released.

The driver of the Allied Waste truck, Darvin C. Mann, 53, of Charlotte, was uninjured, as was the driver of the Pepsi truck, 57-year-old Jimmy L. Hanserd.

THP’s Critical Emergency Response Team also responded to the crash scene, and an investigation is ongoing.

“A post-crash inspection is being conducted on the tractor-trailer as part of the ongoing investigation, to include whether the dumpster container was adequately secured,” Browning said.

Alcohol is not believed to be a factor in the crash at this time.

All lanes were reopened by 7:43 a.m., Browning said.

Reporter Eric Miller can be reached at 575-7115 or ebmiller@mtcngroup.com.