| Sources |
- [S23] Atchley Funeral Home, (http://www.atchleyfuneralhome.com/), 8 Apr 2005.
Bobby Joe Ogle obituary
- [S23] Atchley Funeral Home, (http://www.atchleyfuneralhome.com/), 24 Jul 2005.
Doris Ann Rolen obituary
- [S106] The Mountain Press, 7 Feb 2015.
Community rallying in wake of Friday tragedy
Feb. 07, 2015 @ 03:31 PM
Jeff Farrell
SEVIERVILLE —
The community is rallying this weekend to support the families and friends of three local teens who died in a single-car wreck Friday on Bent Road in Kodak.
Sevier County schools will have grief counselors on hand Monday at Gatlinburg-Pittman High School and Seymour High School, where students and faculty are mourning the young lives cut short in the wreck.
Late Friday night, THP released the names of the teenage victims in a fatal wreck on Bent Road — confirming sad news that had already made its way onto social media, where friends and family were grieving over the tragic loss.
Investigators believe 15-year-old Tyler Rolen, an unlicensed driver, was behind the wheel of a Honda Civic when he lost control of the car and it crossed the center line and struck an embankment, sending it spinning and hurtling into a tree that collapsed the roof.
They think Rolen and his 16-year-old sister, Sarah, were killed instantly in the collision along with 18-year-old Joshua Lewis-Jones. A third passenger, 18-year-old Michael Clemons, was ejected from the car and survived the wreck.
He was taken to The University of Tennessee Medical Center, where he was talking to investigators and was visiting friends later in the day.
Tyler and Sarah Rolen were students at Gatlinburg-Pittman High School, while Clemons and Lewis-Jones were recent graduates of Seymour High School.
The Sevier County school system is bringing in grief counselors who will be available at both schools Monday, as it normally does at any school when a student is lost, said Debra Cline, spokesperson for the schools.
“Our hearts are deeply saddened by the loss of these young lives, and we will have grief counselors in place Monday,” Cline said.
GPHS has already arranged one additional way to recognize and assist the Rolen family. It will be charging a $5 admission for Tuesday’s basketball game, with all the proceeds going to the family.
“That will allow students the students to express their condolences and sympathy,” Cline said.
Friends of the families are also looking to support them by raising funds online to help defray expenses.
Susie Jennings, a friend of the Rolen family, started the Sarah and Tyler Memorial Fund on gofundme.com. Seymour soccer coach Drew Payne has started a memorial fund for Josh Lewis-Jones.
Friends of the victims and their families were discussing the tragedy on Twitter, Facebook and other social media Friday afternoon, but Miller said THP had been unable to confirm that one of the parents had been notified and they did not confirm the identities until late that night.
Because the identities had not been confirmed, Sevier County schools did not make any announcement to students or bring in counselors Friday, but there were staff available to talk to students who heard about the incident through other means said Debra Cline, spokesperson for the schools.
“If students heard about it through unofficial means and needed to talk to someone, there were absolutely guidance counselors and teachers who would have been there and available,” she said.
Sarah and Tyler Rolen were supposed to be in classes when the wreck occurred at about 10 a.m. Friday, but had decided to miss school to spend the day with Clemons and Lewis-Jones, the older duo who were recent graduates of Seymour High School.
The four had met at a nearby residence earlier and stayed for some time before getting into the Honda Civic and going for a drive.
“They played video games for approximately about an hour, then they decided it was a beautiful day, they were going to take a ride,” Miller said.
Rolen lost control of the car on Bent Road a short time later.
While Miller announced the results of the preliminary investigation into the wreck Friday, the complete investigation could take weeks or even months to complete.
THP’s Critical Incident Response Team will complete a thorough analysis of evidence gathered at the scene as well as statements from Clemons and other data, and use it to try to determine how and why the accident happened.
“We’re going to make sure this is investigated correctly and thoroughly because the parents are going to want answers and we’re going to give them the best that we can,” Miller said.
- [S23] Atchley Funeral Home, (http://www.atchleyfuneralhome.com/), 6 Feb 2015.
August 19, 1999 - February 6, 2015
Resided in Sevierville, TN
Sarah Ann Rolen, 16, and Tyler Kelley Rolen, 15, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, February 6, 2015. They were so full of life and brought so much joy and happiness to all who knew and loved them.
They were preceded in death by their grandfather, Bobby Ogle; and grandmother, Doris Ann Rolen.
They are survived by their loving parents, Tonya Ogle Rolen and Andy Rolen; grandparents, Mike and Teresa Townsend, and Horace Rolen; great-Grandparents, Ted and Darlene Ogle, and Earl and Becky Phillips; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins; special friend, Steffan Schroeder and so many more loving friends.
The family will receive friends from 4 pm to 8 pm Monday, February 9th at Atchley Funeral Home, Sevierville. Funeral service 10 am Tuesday, February 10th in the West Chapel of Atchley Funeral Home with Rev. Mike Beck and Rev. Donnie Jester officiating. Interment will follow at Marion Ownby Cemetery. Online condolences may be made at www.atchleyfuneralhome.com
- [S58] Marriage Certificate.
ROLEN, ANDREW KELLEY OGLE, TONYA GAIL 1998-07-24
|
Search | Advanced Search
1999 - 2015 (15 years)
: Address
: Location
: City/Town
: County/Shire
: State/Province
: Country
: Not Set
= Link to Google Maps