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Athens Child Dead in Crash, Charges Pending

657 views · Published 7 February 2015 · 2:32 · Indexed 20 September 2026

Channel: WTVC NewsChannel 9 · 2015 · News & Politics

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A community is in mourning in Athens after the death of a 7-year-old boy in a car accident.

Police say charges are pending against the boy's father, who was driving.

The accident happened last Sunday night in Monroe County, on State Highway 307 in Madisonville.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol says it believes 31-year-old Raymond Shumate was driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs when he crossed the center lane, drove off the road, crossed a ditch, and hit a tree.

Shumate was driving with his 7-year-old son Luke, and 9-year-old son Jake. Both boys were badly injured and rushed to the hospital. Luke Shumate died from his injuries two days later.

No one in the car was wearing seat belts, and investigators say if they had been, things would have turned out differently. 

Both boys attended City Park Elementary school in Athens. In a release, Athens City Schools told NewsChannel 9, "Luke was a wonderful young man and will be greatly missed by the entire City Park School family, especially his friends and teachers. Athens City Schools will provide grief counselors at the school this week for students, parents and friends to deal with their thoughts and feelings associated with the loss of Luke."

At this time, the father- Raymond Shumate is being held in the McMinn county jail for violation of probation.

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