UPDATE (June 7, 2024, 11:10 a.m.): The victims from the crash that happened on Thursday afternoon on Western Avenue have been identified.

The victims from the Nissan Rogue have been identified as Krista Maples, 31 of Knoxville, and her 10-year-old son.

The victim from the Chevrolet Suburban has been identified as Clayton Chandler, 74 of Knoxville.  

The three children who were injured in the crash remain hospitalized with serious injuries.

Evidence from the scene suggests that the deceased were not wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash.

The investigation into the crash remains ongoing at this time.

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The Knoxville Police Department is investigating a crash that killed three and injured multiple others on Western Avenue on Thursday afternoon.

At around 4 p.m. on Thursday, June 6, 2024, KPD officers responded to Western Avenue near John May Drive to investigate a multi-vehicle crash.

Based on witness statements and evidence at the scene, it is believed that the following occurred.

A Chevrolet Suburban was traveling west on Western Avenue when it veered into the eastbound lanes and struck a Nissan Rogue head-on. An eastbound Nissan Frontier then struck the Suburban. Evidence suggests that the driver of the Suburban could have experienced a medical event that contributed to the crash.

The driver of the Suburban, an adult man, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver and front passenger in the Nissan Rogue, an adult woman and 10-year-old boy, were also pronounced dead at the scene. Three additional child passengers in the Rogue, ages 8, 4 and 2, respectively, were transported to the UT Medical Center with serious injuries.

The driver and only occupant in the Nissan Frontier suffered only minor injuries.

The identities of the deceased are being withheld at this time and the investigation remains ongoing.