The Tennessee Highway Patrol reports two people died as a result of a two vehicle head on crash around 3:19 am today on I-81 at mile marker 30.6
The fatal victims are identified as 80 year old Paul Martinez of Tennessee and 37 year old Sherry Thornton of Virginia.
According to the report, the Honda CR-V driven by Martinez entered I-81 northbound in the southbound lanes. The Martinez car struck a Ford Explorer head on and both vehicles caught fire. Martinez and Thornton died at the scene. The driver of the Explorer, 39 year old Jason Thornton of Virginia, was ejected from his vehicle and transported for treatment of serious injuries. Martinez was the lone occupant of his vehicle. The report indicates none of those involved in the wreck were wearing seat belts.
