Seatbelt use might have saved Williamsburg man’s life, police say

A Williamsburg man might still be alive had he been wearing his seatbelt during a Friday afternoon crash, police say.
Troy L. Jones, 28, of Williamsburg, was airlifted from the scene, but died shortly after the accident Friday. He was pronounced dead at the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville.
Williamsburg Police Officer Jason Caddell said none of the three people involved in the two-vehicle wreck were wearing seatbelts, and that he thinks he might have made a difference in Jones’ case.
“I can’t say for sure he would have lived, but I don’t think his injuries would have been as severe. He would have stood a better chance of living,” Caddell said noting that most of Jones and his passenger’s injuries were caused by them being thrown forward and hitting the dash or windshield.
The accident happened about 1:44 p.m. on US25W near Bill Berry’s Body Shop. A northbound 1993 Ford Explorer, driven by Darrell W. Wilson, 19, of Williamsburg, crossed over the centerline, and struck Jones’ 2004 Pontiac Sunfire head-on, Caddell said.
The Sunfire was against the shoulder of the road, and had pulled over as far as it could in an effort to avoid the collision, Caddell said.
Both Jones and his passenger, Kelley R. McKeehan, 32, of Rockholds, were trapped inside the vehicle as a result of the crash, and suffered extensive injuries.
Emergency crews from the Williamsburg-Whitley County Rescue Squad extricated both from the vehicle, and they were flown from an emergency-landing zone set up near Calvary Missionary Baptist Church to Knoxville.
Caddell said McKeehan was still in very serious condition, but is expected to make a full, but slow recovery.
“From what I understand she had to have several surgeries Friday night,” he added.
Wilson, who is diabetic, told police that he doesn’t remember anything about the accident, and was released from the hospital Saturday.
“He stated that he might have blacked out,” Caddell said. “He went to Corbin hospital, and they did some tests on him. They don’t know why he just blacked out. I talked to him Saturday, and he has to go back to his doctor, and find out exactly what happened.”
So far no charges have been filed in connection with the accident, and no drug or alcohol involvement is suspected.
“We are still looking into what may have caused the accident,” Caddell said. “We have subpoenaed some records from Corbin hospital, and we will go from there. There were four officers at the scene. We all talked to Mr. Wilson. He did not appear to be intoxicated in any way.”
Weather wasn’t a contributing factor, and since neither driver hit their brakes, police have no proof to show how fast each vehicle may have been travelling, Caddell said.
Williamsburg Detective Wayne Bird, Sheriff’s Capt. Todd Shelley, and various other officers assisted at the scene along with Whitley County EMS, Jellico EMS, and Three-Point Volunteer Fire Department.