Three killed in car crash in I-26 near Boones Creek, Tennessee

A woman and her boyfriend’s teenage daughter were killed in a car crash on Friday night when another car hit their head-on on Interstate 26.

The man who hit them also due to injuries in the car crash.

Johnson City police said Tonya Westmoreland, 48, and Jalynn Chisholm, 17, both of Johnson City, died in the 7:30 p.m. crash on I-26 near the Boones Creek exit in Tennessee.

JCPD Lt. Scotty Carrier said a car driven by a man was headed west on I-26 when he lost control, crossed the median into oncoming traffic and struck Westmoreland’s black Nissan Altima head-on. The man’s identity has not been revealed.

A third vehicle also hit the Altima, but it sustained small damage. Police said the third driver was not injured.

The name of the man driving the car that crossed the median is yet to be revealed. Carrier said he was waiting on forensic details to identify him as he didn’t leave any trace of identity with him.

The man’s car caught on fire, but Carrier said he was not aware that the crash was the reason behind his death. He died at the scene as did Chisholm. Westmoreland died in Johnson City Medical Center.

The crash led to the closure of the eastbound interstate traffic flow for five hours, and traffic was diverted onto the Boones Creek exit at that time. At one point the entire interstate was closed while investigators took photos and measurements to help in determining what happened.

The JCPD traffic homicide team is investigating the incident.