COCKE COUNTY, Tenn. A motorcyclist has died following a multi-vehicle crash that happened Friday evening on Highway 107 in Cocke County, according to the Tennessee Highway Patrol.
Troopers said the crash occurred around 6:20 p.m. on East Highway 25/70. A preliminary report from THP states that a 2005 Dodge Caravan was traveling westbound and had stopped to make a left turn onto Highway 107 when it struck a motorcycle that was traveling eastbound in the opposite lane. Both vehicles came to rest in the intersection following the impact.
The motorcyclist, identified by THP as 31-year-old Solomon Sealbury Sutton of North Carolina, died as a result of the crash. Troopers confirmed that Sutton was wearing a helmet at the time.
The driver of the Dodge Caravan, a 23-year-old from Tennessee, has not been charged as of this report, and THP said any charges will depend on the outcome of the ongoing investigation. No additional details about the crash have been released by authorities.
Community and Family Mourn Solomon Sutton
News of Sutton’s death has spread quickly among family and friends, many of whom have shared tributes online expressing grief over the sudden loss. Family friend Amy Carrel wrote an emotional post remembering Sutton, saying she still could not believe she had to say goodbye to him. She described her heart as broken over losing someone so young, noting that Sutton was only 31 and had a fiancée, along with two young sons who will grow up without him.
Carrel also expressed concern for Sutton’s mother, saying no parent should have to endure the kind of loss she is now facing. She spoke of Sutton’s coworkers and extended community, referred to in her post as his Shine family, saying they would miss him deeply as well. Carrel urged others to keep Sutton’s loved ones in their thoughts and prayers as they begin to process the tragedy, adding that life is precious and fragile and encouraging people to hold their own loved ones a little closer.
The outpouring of support reflects how deeply Sutton was connected to those around him, both through his family and his workplace community. Friends have described him as someone who left a lasting impression on everyone he met, and tributes continue to be shared as word of his passing spreads throughout the region.
Investigation Continues
The Tennessee Highway Patrol said its investigation into the crash is ongoing. Officials have not released further information about the specific circumstances leading up to the collision, including details about traffic conditions, speed, or visibility at the time of the crash. Anyone with information related to the incident is encouraged to contact the Tennessee Highway Patrol as the investigation continues.
For now, family and friends are left to grieve the loss of a young father and partner whose life was cut short in an instant. As the community rallies around Sutton’s family during this difficult time, many are remembering him not for the tragic way his life ended, but for the impact he made while he was here, especially on the people who loved him most.
