FAILED LEFT TURN CAUSES SERIOUS THREE-CAR CRASH IN ROCKWOOD
On November 14, 2025, at approximately 12:00 p.m., a serious three-vehicle crash occurred in Rockwood, Tennessee, at the intersection of N. Gateway Avenue and W. Wheeler Street. A 16-year-old unlicensed driver, Congeeata Hopkins, was driving a 2002 red Honda Civic northbound on N. Gateway Avenue and attempted an unprotected left turn onto W. Wheeler Street, failing to yield the right-of-way to oncoming traffic.
Her vehicle was struck broadside by a southbound 2021 red Nissan Altima driven by 17-year-old Kavion Mack, who was traveling straight through the intersection. The impact spun the Honda around and pushed the Nissan across the northbound lanes, where it then collided with a 2018 gray Toyota Tacoma pickup truck driven by 78-year-old Ronald Berry, who was stopped or moving slowly in northbound traffic.
Three people were injured: an 18-year-old rear-seat passenger in the Honda, Ashton Ryans, sustained suspected serious injuries and was airlifted to the University of Tennessee Medical Center; a 14-year-old front-seat passenger in the Honda, Chloe Howell, suffered suspected minor injuries; and the Nissan’s driver, Kavion Mack, had possible injuries.
The drivers of the Honda and Toyota reported no or minor injuries. The 16-year-old driver of the Honda was cited for failure to yield right-of-way and was noted to be emotionally upset at the scene. Both the Honda and Nissan sustained disabling damage and were towed, while the Toyota was driven from the scene.
The crash occurred in clear weather on a dry roadway during daylight hours, and the Rockwood Police Department investigated the incident.
