MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The second driver that was seriously injured in a crash Sunday night that left a former Horn Lake police chief dead has also died.
On Wednesday, the Memphis Police Department identified the second driver as 62-year-old Morris Hands.
According to authorities, retired Horn Lake Police Chief Darryl Whaley was traveling westbound on Summer Avenue around 10 p.m. when he crossed the double yellow line and hit another vehicle heading the opposite direction. The impact sent his vehicle into a third vehicle driven by Hands.
“I heard a loud thud, and then a few minutes later I heard all the emergency equipment headed in one direction that was similar,” said Ron Taylor, who lives nearby.
The collision shut down the northbound lanes of Summer Avenue while investigators worked to determine what caused the wreck.
Taylor said crashes in this spot aren’t uncommon.
“About two weeks ago we had another crash in this exact same area. Where someone crossed the center divide and hit head-on,” he said.
As far as what’s causing the crashes, Taylor said that’s tough to say. There is a slight hill drivers have to navigate.
“It could be the hill that caused the restriction and people’s view coming over the hill, could’ve been someone that just purely veered across the line.”
Whatever the reason, he says it’s a reminder to be vigilant.
“Remind your young people that are driving, those that are just getting their licenses or new drivers, you want to be sure to tell them not to talk on the phone while driving, not to text and drive, wear their seatbelt, the whole nine yards because things like this can happen to any of us or any one of our children,” Taylor said.