87-year-old woman dies in crash on North Lee Highway

An 87-year-old woman has died following a crash on North Lee Highway at King Den Drive on Monday, March 23, 2026, according to the Cleveland Police Department (CPD). 

Around 8:30 p.m., officers arrived on scene and learned that a 2001 Lincoln Towncar, driven by Colene Mercer, age 87, was turning left onto King Den Drive from North Lee Highway, when it was struck by a Mercedes, which was being driven by a teenage driver south bound on North Lee Highway.

The driver of the Mercedes was transported by Bradley County EMS to a local hospital for minor injuries. 

CPD says the driver of the Lincoln did not survive the collision. 

Both drivers are residents of Cleveland, Tennessee.

The CPD fatal crash investigation team was called to the scene and took over the investigation.

Neither drugs nor alcohol are suspected.

The investigation is ongoing.