KNOX COUNTY, Tenn. — Two young men were killed in a single vehicle crash on E. Emory Road at Bell Road near Marynardville Pike on Wednesday, the Knox County Sheriff Office said in a Facebook post.
KCSO said 19-year-old Bryce Collier and 20-year-old Cameron Smith died in the crash.
Both grew up in East Tennessee and played sports while they were in high school. The community mourned their deaths, with many keeping their families in their hearts and prayers.
Collier formerly played football for Gibbs High School in Corryton.
"Eagle fans, today we lost one of ours. Please keep the family of Bryce Collier in your hearts and minds. A life ended too soon but an Eagle forever. We hope his family finds some peace in this tragic event," the team said.
Dustin Mynatt was Collier's football coach at Gibbs.
"He was willing to sacrifice one position for another for the good of the team. And I told him on Senior Night, I appreciate what you've done," Mynatt said.
Smith was a star basketball player at Pigeon Forge High School, becoming an All-State point guard in 2018.
"One of our players was really torn up, he said coach, I just talked to him on Monday. I wish I could have said more," said Brian Jessie, Mynatt's coach at Pigeon Forge. "And I said well, that's God's way of giving you that time with him. His personality is really a strong personality."
"Stunned & so saddened to hear of the passing of one of our own. Please pray for the family of Cameron Smith. RIP Cam. We will always remember you and miss you! Heaven got a winner today," the team said on Twitter.
The circumstances behind the crash are still under investigation.