Late Tuesday morning in Perry County, a preventable tragedy struck when 29-year-old Andrew Maxwell lost his life in a single-vehicle accident on Highway 412. The Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) confirmed that the crash occurred around 8:30 a.m. as Maxwell was driving eastbound in a dump truck.
According to officials, Maxwell failed to negotiate a curve, causing the truck to veer off course, overturn, and come to rest across the roadway. Witnesses say the scene was sudden and stark — twisted metal, shattered glass, and the stillness that follows a violent impact. Responders raced to the location, but Maxwell was pronounced dead at the scene.
The preliminary report by THP raises several sobering details: he was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash, a factor that may have worsened the outcome. No other vehicles were involved, and no additional injuries were reported — it was a solitary, devastating accident.
Nearby residents and drivers were stunned by the disruption. Highway 412 remained closed for several hours as law enforcement and first responders scoped the site, collected evidence, and cleared debris. Traffic was rerouted through local roads while the overturned vehicle was removed.
Community members have since come together to mourn Maxwell’s passing. Friends remember him as dependable and kind, someone who would lend a hand without asking. The news has left a hole in Perry County, a place where neighbors often know each other by name.
Investigators continue to examine all contributing factors: road condition, speed, vehicle maintenance, and visibility during the moment of the crash. The THP has indicated that their findings will guide whether further safety actions are needed along that stretch of Highway 412.
In the end, the tragic loss of Andrew Maxwell is a stark reminder that a moment’s lapse — in judgment, in safety measure, or in caution — can change everything. As an entire community reflects on his life, his story may yet become a call to them, and to us all, to never take roadway safety for granted.