Members of the Chattanooga Police Department’s Traffic Division investigated a crash Thursday morning that at first appeared to be the city’s second traffic fatality of the year. However, later it was determined that a medical illness is what caused the crash.
Investigators said the driver of the 2004 Nissan was traveling south on Thrushwood Drive when her vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree head-on.
CPR was administered at the scene, on the sole occupant, and she was rushed to Erlanger Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead a short time later.
Hospital officials have determined that she died from the medical illness that occurred just prior to the crash, police said.
The driver has been identified as 63-year-old Barbara Jean Wattenbarger, of Chattanooga.