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Oneida woman's cause of death still unknown after Newfound Gap Road accident

According to park officials, a 63-year-old LaFollette resident drove his 2014 GMC pickup truck off the roadway and landed approximately 40 feet below in the river. His passenger died from her injuries.

Gatlinburg, Tenn. — Great Smoky Mountains National Park rangers responded to a single-car accident on Newfound Gap Road around 7:11 a.m. on Dec. 1.

According to park officials, a 63-year-old LaFollette resident drove his 2014 GMC pickup truck off the roadway and landed approximately 40 feet below in the river.

Officials say the accident happened around 1 a.m. but was not discovered until a few hours later when a park maintenance worker spotted the truck in the river.

His passenger, a 62-year-old Oneida woman, Wanda Strunk, died as a result of her injuries, according to rangers.

The accident occurred at the bridge near the Chimneys Picnic Area entrance along Newfound Gap Road. Park officials spoke with the driver who said the roads were wet that evening.

Both he and the passenger were able to exit the vehicle following the accident before she was swept away in the current, according to park officials.

Strunk was located approximately 150 yards downstream of the accident in the river. Park officials do not know if she succumbed to injuries related to the accident or drowned in the river.

Park rangers said the driver of the truck will not face charges in the crash.

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