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GREENE COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) — According to a preliminary report from the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP), a tragic single-vehicle accident on Friday night claimed the life of a 19-year-old Canadian.
The incident involved a 2018 Honda Pilot, which was heading west on Old Tusculum Road when it suddenly veered off the right side, traveling roughly 80 feet away from the roadway.
The car collided with a tree before finally coming to a halt.
THP identified the passenger, Payton Cook, 19, who succumbed to injuries sustained in the crash.
In a statement shared via social media, Tusculum University revealed that Cook was a freshman majoring in business administration and also played on the men’s lacrosse team.
The driver of the vehicle, an 18-year-old, was injured, as well. Tusculum said in its statement that “in addition to Payton’s passing, four other students were injured in this accident,” but their injuries weren’t considered life-threatening.
The full statement from Tusculum can be found below:
We are grieved to share the news that one of our students, Payton Cook, passed away tonight in a car accident. This is devastating news for all of us and, most importantly, for his personal family. Our hearts and prayers go out to all members of the Cook family.
We also know this is particularly difficult news for members of our men’s lacrosse team. Payton was a freshman and a member of that team. We know they are grieving, and we grieve with them. He was a business administration major from Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada.
We are praying for Payton’s family, his teammates and all other students, faculty and staff members, who are impacted by what happened. Our Office of Student Affairs and the Rev. E.J. Swatsell, our director of spiritual life and special projects, have mobilized to provide support to our students, faculty and staff.
Local law enforcement officers are handling the details of this accident. We will give them the space they need to perform their work and not discuss details of this matter. We also ask individuals to respect the privacy of everyone involved in the accident and not provide speculative information.
In addition to Payton’s passing, four other students were injured in this accident. They are receiving medical care, but their injuries are not considered life-threatening. We are praying for their recovery.
As we walk through this tragedy together, Psalm 46:1 is a very needed reminder that God is with us in our time of need. It says, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”
Tusculum University
