The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office was notified this morning at approximately 7:10 a.m. regarding a traffic crash located at 12701 Highway 58. When deputies arrived on the scene, they found a 2007 Toyota Corolla off the roadway and the driver was deceased.

H.C.S.O. Traffic Division was called to the scene and the investigation shows the driver was north bound on Highway 58, when for reasons unknown at this time, he left the roadway and struck a tree. The driver was the sole occupant in the vehicle and was not wearing a seat belt. The exact time of the crash is unknown but evidence of alcohol was found in the car. The condition of the driver at the time of the crash will not be known pending the report from the Hamilton County Medical Examiner.

Traffic investigator, Sgt. Mark Kimsey is asking for anyone who has knowledge of the drivers whereabouts before the traffic crash, to please call the Traffic Division at 423-209-8894.

The driver, Christopher Ryan Howell age 25 of Birchwood, was an employee of the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, where his present assignment was in Corrections at the Hamilton County Jail.