New this evening, hearts are heavy here in the high country after another tragic accident has taken the life of another Watauga County youth and left 1 other critically injured. An accident involving 5 teenagers occured just before 11pm last night on Meat Camp Road just below Elk Knob State Park. According to the Highway Patrol, the black Ford Ranger ran off of the right side of the road, was over-corrected, running off of the left handed side of the highway and skidded into a ditch. The vehicle then went airbourne over a driveway and flipping several times into another ditch. The vehicle landed on its wheels but had pinned 16 year old Dillon Critcher who had been riding in the bed of the vehicle. Units responded to the call arriving on the scene as they radioed for 2 Wings Rescue Units for Dillon and another passenger who was critically wounded. Dillon was fatally injured in the accident. We spoke with one of the neighbors who heard the crash and was the first one on the scene.

1 other passenger was listed in Critical Condition at the Johnson City Medical Center and the other 3 were treated and released from the Watauga Medical Center. We here at MTN want to send out out deepest thoughts and prayers to the Critcher Family and all effected by this tragic accident.