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Tractor-trailer Rear Ends Lexington Family in Tennessee

July 20, 2010 - Clinton, TN - A Lexington family traveling back home to attend the House of God denomination's general convocation was involved in a 4-vehicle wreck Monday morning that killed 2 and injured 3 others.

Kentucky.com has contacted Tennessee Highway Patrol for more information on this family's tragic accident. Killed in the wreck were 3-year-old Catherine Howard and Lillian Michelle Clarke, 52. Also injured in the wreck were Clarke's son Aaron J. Howard; her husband Peter Michael Clarke, 47; and her mother, Viola Johnson, 77.

Lillian Clarke was a Lexington resident until she recently moved to Miramar, FL. Her son Aaron still lives in Lexington and was bringing his daughter, Catherine, back to him when the crash occurred. The family was heading to a church convocation where Peter Clarke was to be ordained as an elder.

The 2007 Mazda containing the 5 family members was stopped on the northbound side of I-75 near Clinton, TN due to traffic caused by an earlier accident further up the road. A tractor-trailer came up from behind and rear-ended their vehicle, pushing them into the car ahead.

One person was injured in the vehicle in front of them when the Mazda struck and pushed it into a guardrail. Debris from that impact hit a 4^th vehicle, although no injury was reported.

Peter Clarke was listed in critical condition Tuesday night at the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville. Aaron Howard, the driver of the Mazda, was treated and released Tuesday.

Tennessee Highway Patrol said that Lillian Clarke was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident, and Catherine Howard was in a child safety seat, although it was not installed properly.

Police are still investigating the cause of the accident, although drugs and alcohol are not thought to be factors. Charges are pending against the driver of the tractor-trailer, 61-year-old Ben Edward Parrott.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's 2008 Kentucky Crash Statistics, there were 826 fatalities as a result of traffic accidents in Kentucky.

If you or a loved one were seriously injured in a truck accident in Kentucky, the attorneys at Gray and White Law are here to help. We have successfully handled many Kentucky truck accident and wrongful death cases. Contact us today to schedule an evaluation of your case - 1-800-634-8767.

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