Man dies after 19E accident

An 18-year-old Roan Mountain man died Wednesday morning at the Johnson City Medical Center as a result of injuries he sustained in a wreck on U.S. Highway 19E Monday morning.
   Ricky Whitehead, 1028 Old Railroad Grade Road, was driving a 1989 Ford Probe on Highway 19E about two-tenths of a mile South of Simmerly Creek, according to Tennessee Highway Patrol Trooper Mark Musick.
   The car driven by Whitehead left the roadway and then swerved back on and struck a 2002 Toyota Forerunner driven by Misty McCoury, 27, 208 Bud Miller Road, Roan Mountain, who was traveling north.
   "He (Whitehead) left the right side of the roadway and struck a guardrail and went across the road to the on-coming lane, then struck the Forerunner head on," Musick said. "According to his family he had worked all night and was coming home. We theorize he may have fallen asleep."
   Whitehead was taken to the Johnson City Medical Center by Wings Air Rescue where he underwent surgery to treat his injuries.