Multiple vehicle crash sends three to hospitals

Charges are pending in a Wednesday-morning crash that involved three vehicles and resulted in three people taken to area hospitals, according to Tennessee Highway Patrol spokeswoman Dayla Qualls.

Trooper Michael Baker said a car driven by 19-year-old Maximillio Macheca, of Lebanon, pulled out in front of a tractor trailer, driven by John Elmore, 29, of Morgantown, Ky., which was traveling north. The two vehicles collided.

The impact sent Macheca's car into the southbound lanes, where it was struck by a car driven by Diane Cothran, of Lebanon.

Elmore was the only person uninjured in the crash. Macheca was seriously injured and taken by LifeFlight to Vanderbilt University Medical Center. His passenger, Grant Jones, 20, of Lebanon, was also injured, as was Cothran, 66, of Lebanon. Both were taken by ambulance to University Medical Center in Lebanon. Everyone involved in the crash was wearing a seatbelt.

Baker said the tractor trailer was not badly damaged, and crews were able to clear the scene relatively quickly, which kept delays down.

Staff writer Mary Hinds may be reached at 615-444-3952, ext. 45 or maryhinds@lebanondemocrat.com.

109 wreck Photo: Kimberly Jordan • The Lebanon Democrat

A tractor trailer driven by John Elmore was damaged in a multi-car accident Wednesday on Highway 109 at Academy Road. Traffic was stopped for a period as officials removed the vehicles from the roadway.