A 24-year-old Ringgold man has died after sustaining injuries in an accident on Tuesday evening.
He was identified as Mitchell "Mitch" Beard.
Chattanooga Police responded to 2600 Gunbarrel Road at approximately 8:24 p.m., for a traffic crash involving a motorcycle and an SUV.
Investigators discovered that the motorcycle was traveling south on Gunbarrel Road. The motorcyclist lost control for unknown reasons, came off the vehicle and made contact with the SUV which was traveling north on Gunbarrel Road.
Mr. Beard was transported to a local hospital, where on Thursday he died.
A longtime resident of the Chattanooga area, Mr. Beard was a 2008 graduate of Tennessee Temple Academy where he played football and baseball. He was a combat-decorated U.S. Marine who served in Operation Enduring Freedom. He was awarded the following citations: Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with a Bronze Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, NATO Medal-ISAF Afghanistan, Rifle Qualification Badge (Sharpshooter).
He later returned home to work with his father in the family business, Alpha Services.
The family will receive friends from 3 to 6 p.m. on Sunday at the Chattanooga Funeral Home, North Chapel, in Hixson and 10 to 11 a.m. on Monday at Life Spring Baptist Church, 1701 Hickory Valley Road, Chattanooga.
Services will follow at 11 a.m. on Monday at the church with Rev. Kevin Skogen and Dr. Jeremy Wallace officiating. Burial will be in Hamilton Memorial Gardens.