Sevier News Messenger Sevier County News and Opinion
A tree fell upon a vehicle traveling the Spur on Thursday night, killing the driver.
According to Dana Soehn, spokesperson for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, rangers responded to a report of a single-car motor vehicle collision on the southbound Spur (US-441/US-321) at approximately 11:23 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016.
A tree along the roadside appeared to have fallen on a 2005 Ford truck, killing the 59-year-old male driver from Georgia. The Gatlinburg Fire Department transported the victim, who was killed in the collision at the scene, to LeConte Medical Center. No other passengers were in the vehicle. Officials withheld the identity of the man pending notification of next of kin. The Gatlinburg Police Department also provided assistance.
The man was my daddy. His name is Philip Painter. I cannot even fathom this. He was my best friend. We are having a memorial for him here in south Georgia on Saturday. My heart is broken. He lived in Cherokee. I live in Valdosta, Ga. I am his only child..his daughter. I pray he is at peac . He was a great man.
I am so sorry for your loss. My heart breaks for you and your family. I will never forget this as long as I live. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Thank you Julie. That means a lot. Its almost comforting to know someone was near him
Julie, will you please email me and tell me what you saw? I need some closure. I feel connected to you because you were there…closer and I couldn’t be. I know you don’t know me or my daddy, but my heart feels so empty. Itd just be nice to hear from you. I understand if you don’t feel like talking about it. But, if so.. Hellodarlinvintage@gmail.com I am glad that you all were safe. I am missing him so much. So hard to accept.
What was the mans name killed on 9/1/16 by the falling tree on the spur in Gatlinburg? We were the car behind him and just wanted to know his name. It shook us up pretty good.
The man’s name has not been released by authorities.