- Mother and three children die in horrific head-on collision with tractor after their SUV exploded into flames
Family were returning form a trip to see grandmother when they crashed
DAILYMAIL.COM (Source)
A mother and her three sons were killed in a horrific head-on collision with a tractor after their SUV careered into the other lane.
The deaths of Stephanie Brown, 31, eight-month-old Grayson Brown, Jackson Brown, seven, and Gage Brown, nine, have shocked and overwhelmed members of the close-knit extended family and their community, after they were killed on State Highway 61 in Roane County, Tennessee on Tuesday.
Stephanie Brown was said to be returning from a visit with her grandmother when her 2004 Ford Expedition crossed the centre line of the highway and struck the oncoming tractor-trailer.
Both vehicles burst into flames but driver of the tractor, Joe Sexton, 57, did not require medical treatment.
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Tragic: Grayson Brown, left, Gage Brown, centre and Jackson Brown all perished in the car accident after their SUv careered into the other lane
Tragic: Grayson Brown, left, Gage Brown, centre and Jackson Brown all perished in the car accident after their SUv careered into the other lane
Scene: Four members of the Brown family died on Tuesday in Harriman, Tennessee. The driver had minor injuries
Scene: Four members of the Brown family died on Tuesday in Harriman, Tennessee. The driver had minor injuries
Mr Sexton reportedly tried to help the occupants of the SUV, but they were pinned by the vehicle's engine, which had been driven into the back seat by the impact.
The Rev John Edwards, pastor of New Fairview Baptist Church, is the uncle of Stephanie Brown and described the families as 'crushed and devastated' by the tragedy. Her husband Josh Brown is obviously still in shock.'
He said the couple grew up in Oliver Springs, were high school sweethearts while attending Oliver Springs High School and married 'right out of high school'.
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Jackson Brown was a first-grader at Bowers Elementary School in Harriman, while his older brother, Gage, was in fourth grade.
Dr Toni McGriff, director of Roane County Schools, said on Wednesday additional counselling was and will be made available to staff and students for as long as is needed.
'It looked like they were killed instantly. It was a terrible accident'
Clarence Nelson, chief of the Blair Volunteer Fire Department, said: 'It looked like they were killed instantly. It was a terrible accident.
'Everything was burned. There was no paperwork, no VIN (vehicle identification number) available.'
Tennessee Highway Patrol Sgt Bobby Clevenger says it's unknown why the SUV veered into the other lane but no charges will be filed.
Neighbours along Coalfield Road say the boys and their mother radiated love.
'You have to give that much love for a child to take in, and actually show it to other people,' said Chris Turpin. 'My prayers go out to the family.'
'I don't know. I couldn't even begin to imagine how that feels,' said neighbour Jordan Williams.
Just weeks ago, the Browns attended New Fairview for Vacation Bible School. rev Edwards says now he must lead his congregation and his family through a trying time.
'All of Fairview church and of course, all of Fairview community, have been so very supportive of family, in their grief, comforting and doing what they can for them,' he said.
Stephanie Nicole Brown, age 31, Gage Brown, age 9, Jackson Brown, age 7, and Grayson Brown, age 8 month, went home to be with the Lord, Tuesday, August 30, 2011, following an automobile accident.
Stephanie was a homemaker and mother, Gage and Jackson were students, and Grayson an infant were survived by Joshua Brown, the husband of Stephanie and father of the three sons.
Stephanie was preceded in death by her father, Roy Vincent Marlow, Jr. who was also the grandfather of the children.
Stephanie is survived by her mother and the grandmother to the children, Sandy Johnson and husband, Ricky of Oliver Springs, by her grandmother and the great-grandmother of the children, Betty Cagley of Oliver Springs, also surviving are the grandparents of the children and in-laws to Stephanie, Vincent and Sandy Brown of Oliver Springs, by aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family members and other relatives.
All services will be private and Sharp Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
HARRIMAN, Tenn.
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1980 - 2011 (31 years)
