KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — A late‑night drive turned catastrophic on Maynardville Pike Friday when a high‑speed attempt to pass traffic ended in a multi‑vehicle collision, claiming the life of Avery Eskridge, 51, and injuring three others.
A Deadly Sequence
According to the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, Eskridge was heading north near Loyston Road when witnesses saw his vehicle dart into the continuous center turn lane—an illegal maneuver intended to overtake slower cars. Investigators say speed was a critical factor: moments later, Eskridge’s car veered into oncoming traffic, slamming head‑on into a southbound vehicle that overturned from the force of impact. A third car, unable to stop in time, struck the wreckage.
Eskridge was pronounced dead at the scene. Emergency crews rushed the three injured occupants of the other vehicles to area hospitals; their identities and conditions have not been released pending family notification and further evaluation.
Hours‑Long Investigation
Maynardville Pike, a busy commuter corridor, was closed for several hours as the Sheriff’s Traffic Accident Reconstruction Team (TANGO) documented debris patterns, skid marks, and mechanical evidence. Toxicology results on Eskridge are pending, investigators said, as they work to determine whether alcohol or other substances played a role.
“Excessive speed and misuse of the center lane appear to be primary contributors,” a Sheriff’s Office spokesperson noted. “Turn lanes exist for safe left turns, not passing. Violating that rule can be—and in this case was—deadly.”
Community Impact
Word of the crash spread quickly through Knoxville, where residents expressed sorrow and renewed concern over road safety. Maynardville Pike has seen its share of accidents, but few as violent as Friday’s chain reaction.
“We drive that stretch every day,” said nearby resident Heather Martin, forced to detour while investigators combed the scene. “It’s heartbreaking to think one risky move can shatter so many lives.”
Call for Witnesses
Authorities urge anyone with dash‑cam footage or firsthand information to contact the Knox County Sheriff’s Office at (865) 215‑2243 or submit tips through Silent Observer. Eyewitness accounts will help piece together the precise timeline leading up to impact.
A Sobering Reminder
While the community mourns Avery Eskridge and prays for the injured, officials are using the tragedy to underscore a familiar message: speed limits and lane laws are not suggestions but life‑saving safeguards.
“Every driver shoulders a responsibility to everyone else on the road,” the Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. “One illegal pass, one moment of impatience, can change lives forever.”
Avery Eskridge’s loved ones now face a sudden, devastating loss. Three more families wait anxiously for news from hospital rooms. And an entire city is left reflecting on how a single lapse behind the wheel turned a routine Friday night into a scene of sirens and sorrow.