CCHS Senior Killed In Crash On Highway 73

A 19 year old Cocke County High School senior died Sunday after being involved in an accident on Highway 73 in Cocke County. According to a preliminary report from the Tennessee Highway Patrol, a Honda Pilot, being driven by a 17 year old was fleeing from Newport police around 2am Sunday morning. The 17 year old lost control of the vehicle near Wright Road, went off the side of the roadway and struck a tree. James Waylon Gossett, a senior at Cocke County High School, was killed and was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver was airlifted from the scene of the accident with serious injuries.

Besides being a senior at Cocke County High School, Waylon “Goose” Gossett was also a volunteer firefighter with the Centerview Volunteer Fire Department. Counselors are on hand this morning at Cocke County High School for those students who are having a hard time dealing with this loss.