Driver of Toyota crushed by gravel truck identified

Feb. 25– Update: The driver of the Toyota remains in critical condition.
He has been identified by the Tennessee Highway Patrol as Emilio Cruz, 54, of McMinnville.
Cruz is charged with driving on a suspended license, failure to exercise due care, improper passing and failure to provide proof of vehicle insurance, the THP reports.

Feb. 24– An unidentified man was critically injured when his older-model Toyota Camry was broadsided by a gravel truck on U.S. 64 two miles east of Savannah at about 8:30 a.m. today.

Emergency personnel initially hoped to airlift the car’s driver from the scene to a Jackson hospital, but weather conditions would not allow the helicopter ambulance to fly, said Hardin County Fire Chief Melvin Martin.

According to state Trooper Charles Stewart, the Toyota was eastbound on a two-lane section of highway and improperly attempted to pass a loaded log truck also traveling east.

The rear of the car clipped the front of the log truck, causing the Toyota to spin and be struck by a westbound Delta Contracting Company gravel truck. Neither of the truck drivers were reported injured.

Authorities were not able to immediately release the name of driver of the Toyota, who had a serious head injury.

However, his vehicle was bearing a Warren County tag and a Spanish-language Mormon Bible with a picture of Jesus tucked into the pages was found in the debris.