Meningitis eyed in student death and more news from the Chattanooga region

MURFREESBORO, Tenn.

Meningitis eyed in student death

A Middle Tennessee State University freshman who died Monday is suspected of having meningitis, and health officials want anyone who was in close contact with him to be evaluated.

According to an MTSU news release, Jacob Nunley, 18, was from Dyersburg and lived in the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity house.

He died at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and the cause of death is under investigation. But Vanderbilt officials are asking anyone who had direct, close contact with Nunley between Sept. 2 and Monday to contact a doctor.


MARIETTA, Ga.

Car plunges; driver killed

Police say a medical emergency might have caused a motorist to plunge down a ravine and into woods, with the Buick Regal bursting into flames off Interstate 75.

A medical examiner will use dental records to confirm the motorist's identity.

The accident happened just after 4 p.m. Monday. Cobb County police told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that the driver had pulled over to the right emergency shoulder on I-75.

A roadside assistance truck was about to stop and help. However, the Buick pulled away from the help truck, went about 100 yards and then plunged down the ravine and crashed into trees.


ATLANTA

Deal forming teen driver panel

Gov. Nathan Deal is asking Georgia teens how to reduce crashes among the state's youngest drivers.

Deal is forming a Governor's Commission on Teen Driving, an advisory panel that will include at least 15 members between 15 and 19.

The commission, overseen by the Governor's Office of Highway Safety, will report to Deal and outline ideas for a statewide strategy to educate teen drivers on hazards such as drunken driving and texting and driving.

The deadline for applications is Sept. 20.


ETOWAH, Tenn.

Trail of Tears researched

Research along the Trail of Tears route in Monroe and McMinn counties is being funded by a National Park Service National Trails Office grant of $13,399 to the Tennessee Overhill Heritage Association.

The trail route is from Fort Armistead at Coker Creek in Monroe County and through McMinn County to Fort Cass in present-day Charleston, Tenn.

Dr. Brett Riggs of the University of North Carolina is leading the research.

"We hope people with local information about the Trail of Tears in Monroe, McMinn and Polk counties will contact us," said Linda Caldwell, director of the Overhill group.

She can be reached at 423-263-7232 or lcaldwell@tennesseeoverhill.com.

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