A 56-year-old driver faces charges after his vehicle crossed the center line on Highway 127 in Fentress County Saturday afternoon, striking four motorcycles and killing one woman.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol said Shawn Banzhoff was traveling north near Old Martha Washington Road in a 2000 Chevrolet when he failed to maintain his lane. Officials said the vehicle struck four separate motorcycles before finally coming to a rest on the southbound side of the roadway.
Bethany Valentine, who was operating a 2015 Kawasaki, died from injuries sustained in the collision. Officials said three other operators, Kelley Lewelling, Tara Stopinski, and Dawn Jones, were injured, also driving motorcycles.
The Fentress County Sheriff’s Office said the crash occurred around 3:00 p.m. and resulted in significant traffic delays.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol said charges against Banzhoff are currently pending the final outcome of the investigation.
