NAMES RELEASED BELOW: Shortly after 3:00 o’clock Thursday morning (4/24/08), there was a fatal crash in Murfreesboro between a car and a pickup truck. The accident occurred at the intersection of Thompson Lane and Windsor Green Drive.
A Murfreesboro police officer clocked a Nissan Altima traveling along Thompson Lane at speeds near 100 miles per hour. The Altima, driven by 22-year old Nono O. Oketa, crashed into a Ford F-150 pickup truck after loosing control on a curve near LeeAnna Road. The truck was driven by 49-year old Willie Barker, Sr. After Oketa struck Barkers’ truck, he ran into a brick mailbox. Barker, who was behind the wheel of the truck, was not seriously injured. Paramedics say Oketa was flown by LifeFlight Helicopter to Vanderbilt Medical Center. His condition is not known at this time. Alcohol was NOT detected in Barker’s truck or on his person. Alcohol was however detected on those inside the Nissan Altima.
21-Year old John Morissey was a passenger in the Altima and reports show he died at the scene of the accident. A second passenger in the Altima by the name of Brock W. Marlin was taken to Middle Tennessee Medical Center.
Thompson Lane was closed to traffic for more than 3-hours while officers treated the injured and completed their investigation. The road was re-opened at 6:30.
The Fatal Accident Crash Team continues to investigate the wreck.
April 25, 2008 at 12:27 am
Drinking and driving – what a shame.
April 25, 2008 at 3:05 am
DRINKING AND DRIVING is a big no no! Yeah its sad that someone lost their life BUT, it was done by stupidity!!!
April 25, 2008 at 4:41 pm
stupidity on the drivers part.. a great life was lost. tyler could have been one of the most successful people i know. had talent in every way imaginable and was all wasted
April 25, 2008 at 9:25 pm
May god be with the Morissey family during their time of need.
April 27, 2008 at 2:00 am
officers treated the victims? what about mfd firefighters and ruth. paramedics?
April 28, 2008 at 7:36 pm
Lets all be thankful that it was alcohol related and not tobacco and (cigarettes).
Hopefully in lowering the drinking age to 18 will help all alcohol related incidences.
Just imagine had they been sucking on a cigar or cigarette and no alcohol what the out come might been!