Accident on Buchanan Road fatal for 17 year old

Traffic Investigators for the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office are investigating a fatal crash Monday night on Buchanan Road which claimed the life of the 17-year-old driver of one of the vehicles.

He was identified as Robert Tyler Gates, a recent graduate of Bradley Central High School.

Gates was driving a Mazda MX6 that collided with a Dodge Durango driven by Sandra L. Elliott, 59, who received non-life-threatening injuries and was treated at Skyridge Medical Center. 

Traffic investigators said alcohol does not appear to have been a factor in the accident but the investigation will look into the possibility of speed being a factor.

The traffic unit plans to return to the scene of the accident Wednesday morning to do a detailed drawing of the site.  It will necessitate the closing of Buchanan Road for a brief time while they complete this phase of the investigation.