ONLY ONLINE: Elderly women dies following Thursday wreck in Rockholds

An elderly Whitley County woman died last week as a result of injuries she suffered in an automobile accident in the Rockholds community.

Evelyn Smith, 85, of Williamsburg died Saturday night at the University of Tennessee Medical Center, two days after she was injured in the accident on Hwy. 26.

According to Whitley County Second District Constable Ron Bowling, smith was the passenger in a vehicle driven by her husband, Raymond Smith. They were traveling south on Hwy. 26 when he lost control of the car while crossing railroad tracks. It traveled down the tracks about 75 feet and came to rest down the railroad bed.

Officials were able to contact CSX and have all rail traffic stopped while emergency workers responded to the scene.

Bowling said it is approximately the eighth time within 24 months officials have responded to this section of railroad crossing due to accidents.

Evelyn Smith refused medical treatment at the scene and was not transported to a local hospital. She was walking shortly after the accident. She was later taken to the hospital by her husband.

"Travelers should always reduce speeds and use caution when crossing railroad tracks on rural county roadways, no matter if trains are in operation or not," Bowling said.

Members of the Rockholds Volunteer Fire Department responded to the scene to help the Smiths off of the railroad tracks.

Bowling praised the fire department’s speedy response to the incident.

Constable Lonnie Foley and Whitley EMS also responded to the scene and assisted.