Cascade High senior killed in crash

Rescuers attempt to remove the victims of a crash on U.S. 231 North at State Highway 82 intersection late Friday morning. (T-G Photo by David Melson) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

Cascade High School's seniors are mourning the loss of one classmate and deeply concerned for another after a serious accident late Friday morning near Deason.

Brenda Golden, 17, Church Cross Road, was dead at the scene after the van she was driving was struck by a tractor-trailer at the intersection of U.S. 231 North and State Highway 82, State Trooper Patrick Turner said.

A passenger in the van, Victoria Atwell of Barton Drive, Normandy, was flown to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville after initial treatment at Heritage Medical Center, investigators said. Atwell, who turned 18 Saturday, was listed in critical but stable condition Saturday at VUMC, spokesperson Doug Campbell said.

"This has just sent a shock through the entire senior class," Cascade High principal Sharon Edwards said. "She was an outstanding young lady in every way. She was an outstanding student, talented, smart and likely would have ranked near the top of her class."

Golden, who would have been 18 on Dec. 26, was a member of the Cascade band and Atwell is the band's drum major, Edwards said.

Authorities were notified of the accident at approximately 11:15 a.m.

"The van pulled from 82 East attempting to cross 231 and go south and pulled into the path of the tractor-trailer," Turner said.

The tractor-trailer was owned by Greatwide and driven by Norman Smith of Lawrenceburg, according to Turner.

Golden's van was struck in the driver's side door and dragged some distance. Both occupants of the van were pinned in for some time.

Smith was northbound on U.S. 231 after leaving Walmart Distribution Center moments earlier with a load of produce, Turner said. The tractor-trailer turned onto its side and blocked most of the highway until after 9 p.m. Smith suffered minor injuries, Turner said; an ambulance was called for him about an hour after the crash.

A Celebration of Life service for Golden will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Doak-Howell Funeral Home with Jimmy Gray officiating. Visitation will begin at 5 p.m.

Memorial donations may be made to the Brenda Golden Memorial Funeral Fund, % Doak-Howell Funeral Home, P.O. Box 457, Shelbyville, TN 37162.