11E collision claims life of Piney Flats teen

From Staff Reports

   A Piney Flats teen-ager was killed shortly after 5 p.m. Monday when he apparently turned into the path of an oncoming truck.
   According to Sgt. Ken Harr of Sullivan County Sheriff's Office, a yellow Fiero driven by Casey Garland, 16, 765 Summer Sound Road, was pulling out from Bluff City Highway onto U.S. Highway 11E when it was struck by a white pickup driven by Jason Long, 20, 504 Price Road, Piney Flats.
   Sgt. Harr said it appeared that Garland was going to make a left turn onto 11E when his vehicle was hit by the northbound truck.
   "The pickup struck the Fiero in the driver's door, fatally injuring the driver of the Fiero," said Sgt. Harr, lead officer on the Fatal Incident Reconstruction Support Team, which is investigating the accident.
   "When the pickup struck the Fiero, the pickup flipped, throwing the driver from the vehicle," Harr said.
   Garland, who was pronounced dead at the scene, was wearing a seatbelt. Long, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was transported to Johnson City Medical Center where he was listed in fair condition.
   Officers from Kingsport and Bristol Police Departments responded to the accident along with Sullivan County Sheriff's Office.
   Speed is believed to be a factor in the accident, which is still under investigation.