Woman dies in 70 South collision

One person was killed as the result of a two-vehicle accident on U.S. Highway 70 South at the intersection with Short Mountain Road on Saturday (June 16), the Tennessee Highway Patrol reports.

72-year-old Mernell Alexander of Woodbury died in the collision, which occurred at around 8:20 a.m., according to the report filed by Trooper Josh Sparkman.

The other vehicle, a 2006 Buick, was driven by Nicholas Ruiz, 37, of Crossville.

Sparkman's report states Ruiz was traveling east bound on 70 South. Alexander was traveling north bound on Short Mountain Rd.

Alexander, driving a 2012 Suba, failed to stop at the stop sign and continued onto 70 South, the report states.

Ruiz's vehicle struck Alexander's vehicle in the driver's side door.

Neither drugs nor alcohol are suspected as likely contributing factors to the incident, Sparkman's report indicates.