Teen killed in fiery crash

Aug. 26– A 19-year-old Michie man was killed Thursday in a fiery one-vehicle crash on Sylvan Drive, five miles south of Savannah.

The victim, Ryan Wint, was a passenger in the front seat of a 2003 Infinity S35 four-door sedan being driven by Tyler Buttram, 18, of Savannah, according to the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

The investigating officer, Trooper Kevin Davidson, said the vehicle was westbound on Sylvan Drive at 6:30 p.m. in a 55 mph zone when it went off the north side of the roadway, hit a tree and caught fire.

Hardin County fire chief Melvin Martin said it appears the car’s fuel tank ruptured and "ignited just about immediately."

Although injured, Buttram was able to exit the vehicle on his own, but Wint was trapped inside. "Several bystanders tried to use fire extinguishers and a water hose" to put out the fire, he said.

Martin said that based on the damage to the vehicle, he believes Wint was killed by the impact.

The THP said both occupants of the Infiniti were wearing seat belts.