Sevier Teacher Killed, City Workers Injured after Falling Tree Hits Van

A falling tree tore the roof off a van traveling Wears Valley Road on Thursday, injuring four City of Sevierville employees and a killing a teacher from the Sevier County Public School System.

According to a release, a City of Sevierville van carrying six city employees and one employee’s spouse was involved in an accident on Wears Valley Road near Heaven Lane in Blount County around noon Thursday, February 6, 2020. Four city employees were injured and transported to area hospitals. The wife of one employee was pronounced dead at Blount Memorial Hospital.

The van was returning from an American Public Works Association meeting in the Townsend area when a tree fell on the van, causing extensive damage. Rescuers had to extract some of the persons from the van. The employees worked in the Public Works Department.

36-year old Brooke Sampson, the wife of city employee Michael Sampson who was also in the van, died as a result of her injuries. Brooke had worked part-time for the Public Works Department in the past and was a full-time teacher with Sevier County Schools. According to the school system website, Sampson taught 4th grade at Sevierville Intermediate School.

City employees Bob Moncrief, Nathan Raulston, Joseph Dodgen and Eldon Denney were all injured and transported to area hospitals. Their conditions are not available at this time.

“The City of Sevierville family asks that your thoughts and prayers be with Michael Sampson and his family, and the families of the injured employees,” said Sevierville spokesman Bob Stahlke. “We respectfully ask for your understanding as we grieve as a city family during this difficult time.”