County Solid Waste Dept. truck crushes pickup, two seriously injured

July 11– Two people are in stable but guarded condition after a Hardin County Solid Waste Department garbage hauler struck a compact pickup truck about 7:45 a.m. today, according to the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

THP Sgt. Barry Siler said the loaded Mack garbage hauler operated by Kenneth Short, 41, was eastbound on U.S. 64 a short distance east of Walmart when it crossed the median and hit a westbound 1998 Chevrolet S-14 pickup truck. The Mack truck then rolled over the top of the Chevy driven by Bonnie Young, 53.

The larger vehicle sustained heavy damage and the smaller vehicle was flattened in the collision.

Young was airlifted to Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville. Short was taken by helicopter ambulance to The Med in Memphis.

Siler could not corroborate reports Short may have had a heart attack.

Trooper Gerald Hardin investigated.