NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The second victim of a Flat Creek head-on collision has died, according to the Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) Public Information Officer. The Times staff confirmed on Wednesday morning that Gary Peels, age 54, died after being listed in critical condition at the area level one trauma center since Friday.

He and his wife, Lori Peels, were involved in a head-on collision on Highway 82 in the Flat Creek community near the Moore County, Bedford County line last Friday. The accident shut down traffic on Highway 82 for several hours. {To read our original coverage of that accident, click here.}

According to the preliminary report by the Tennessee Highway Patrol, the two vehicles were traveling on Highway 82 around 6:47 p.m. on April 21 when Corbin Springer, age 21, crossed the yellow center line in a Dodge Avenger and struck the Peels’ Dodge Caravan Minivan head-on. All individuals in the accident were wearing their seatbelts, according to the THP report. Charges for Springer are pending.

Emergency officials pronounced Lori dead on the scene and transported Gary to VUMC where he remained in critical condition until his passing.

Lori, Gary, and their daughter Hannah are beloved members of the close-knit Flat Creek community. Lori taught at the Liberty School in Bedford County and Gary works at The Jack Daniel’s Distillery Visitor’s Center.

At press time, funeral arrangement for Lori and Gary were not yet available. We will publish those details as soon as they are available. •

{The Lynchburg Times is an independently-owned, community newspaper located in Lynchburg, Tennessee the home of The Jack Daniel Distillery. We tells the stories of local folks here in Lynchburg as well as those happening across Tennessee and the American South that we believe may be of interest to our readers. Like what we’re doing? You can support us for just $5 per month by following this link.}