Update on Children Injured in McMinn Church Van Wreck

Englewood, TN (WDEF) – A church van loaded with children collided with a pickup this morning in McMinn county.

It happened at Highway 30 and 5-44 near the National Guard Armory around nine A-M.

The Athens Post Athenian reports the Zion Hill Baptist van from Englewood was taking children to the Creative Discovery Museum in Chattanooga.

Two adults and 11 children on the bus were taken to the hospital.. most with minor injuries.

The pickup’s driver, 18-year old Zachary Crager from Decatur, was transferred to a trauma center in Knoxville.

Crager told troopers that the brakes failed on his vehicle which made him lose control and hit the bus.

He will be cited for failure to maintain his vehicle.

Here is a list of the victims from the Tennessee Highway Patrol:

Vehicle 1: 2002 Chevy Silverado

Driver 1:  Zachery Crager – AGE– 18 years of age, from Decatur, TN – transported by ground to Star Regional Athens – now being transferred to UT Knoxville.

Vehicle 2:  2011 Ford E350 Van

Driver 2: Gary Culberson – AGE – 61 years of age, from Etowah, TN – transported by ground to Star Regional Etowah

Front seat Passenger: Whitney Martin – AGE – 27 years of age, from Englewood, TN – flown to UT Knoxville.

Juveniles in the bus:

6 years old – transported to Athens Star Regional – also being transferred to UT Knoxville. 

The following were all passengers of the Bus and were all transported to Star Regional Etowah:

Age – 4 years of age – from Englewood, TN

Age– 8 years of age – from Englewood, TN

Age – 6 years of age – from Etowah, TN

Age – 6 years of age – from Etowah, TN

Age – 6 years of age – from Englewood, TN

Age – 6 years of age – from Reliance, TN

Age – 6 years of age – from Etowah, TN

Age – 6 years of age – from Etowah, TN

Age– 6 years of age – from Englewood, TN

Age – 6 years of age – from Athens, TN