MARYVILLE, TENNESSEE – Blount County Sheriff James Lee Berrong is sad to announce a Knoxville man was killed in a fatal car crash in Blount County Tuesday evening.

Aaron M. Christopher, 18, of Martin Mill Pike, Knoxville, was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. A passenger in the vehicle, Gabriel A. Sisson, 17, of Rhea Road, Knoxville, was flown by Life Star to the University of Tennessee Medical Center. Sisson is listed in stable condition.

Deputies responded to the crash that occurred on Old Walland Highway near Melrose Station Road at 7:45 p.m. Aaron Christopher, the driver, was traveling northwest on Old Walland Highway in a 2002 Ford Explorer. As he crested a small hill that curved left, Aaron Christopher lost control of his vehicle. The vehicle left the roadway on the right side. Christopher overcorrected and the vehicle slid across the road, leaving the roadway on the left side. The vehicle struck a standing tree with the left side of the vehicle causing the vehicle to overturn and come to a rest on its top. Aaron Christopher was partially ejected, and the passenger, Gabriel Sisson was completely ejected from the vehicle through the windshield. Neither Aaron Christopher nor Gabriel Sisson were wearing seatbelts.

The Sheriff’s Office Traffic Safety Unit is continuing its investigation into the car crash.

Sheriff Berrong would like to extend his condolences to the family of Aaron Christopher for the loss of their loved one and wishes for a speedy recovery to Gabriel Sisson.