Family speaks about fatal crash that killed 11-year-old boy

HAYWOOD COUNTY, Tenn. — Family members reveal new details about the fatal crash that killed an 11-year-old boy Sunday in Haywood County.

A preliminary report by the Tennessee Highway Patrol says the crash happened when the 51-year-old driver went off Highway 19 and over-corrected.

Family members told WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News on Monday that they disagree with the findings.

The fatal crash claimed the life of 11-year-old Skylar Martin and injured four others.

Gauze pads, car debris and orange paint mark the scene more than 24 hours later.

Jerry Reed says he sat in traffic for more than an hour as first responders worked. “We saw the car out here in the ditch and there was some paramedics. They had to wait on them to arrive,” he said.

Family members stopped at the crash site Monday afternoon. They didn’t want to go on camera but say 51-year-old Rita Benson had just left church and was taking a Sunday drive with her grandchildren.

The incident report says she left the road and over-corrected, causing the car to flip multiple times and land in a ditch. Family tell us two of the children were ejected from the car.

Troopers said only two people in the vehicle appeared to be wearing a seat belt.

Family members say the 2006 Buick had a mechanical malfunction.

Passengers, who are between the ages of 7 and 14, said they heard a loud pop before the car went out of control.

Those who survived the crash were flown to hospitals in Memphis, according to family.

They said injuries range from broken ribs and bones to more serious internal injuries.

Troopers said they could not comment on the possibility of any future charges.