A Sevier County man is has been transported to Vanderbilt Hospital after suffering third degree burns after an explosion in Wears Valley today.

According to Sevier County Sheriff Ron Seals, David Ownby, 28, Happy Hollow Road, Sevierville, was severely burned after throwing ethanol racing fuel onto a fire that resulted in an explosion. Ownby was burning plastic insulation off of copper wire in a fire pit when he threw the racing fuel onto the fire.

Ownby was transported to UT Hosptial by Lifestar and from there flown to Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville to treat second and third degree burns over 90 percent of his body.

The Sheriffs Office Fire Investigation Unit is investigating the case.  

Two vehicles with an unkown amount passengers collided at the intersection of Dolly Parton Parkway and Henderson Ave. in Sevierville around 3 p.m. today.

At least three police cruisers and rescue workers responded to the scene of the accident just a stone's throw away from the downtown area. The wreck tied up traffic heading both directions on Dolly Parton Parkway for at least half-an-hour this afternoon as the victims were assessed for injury.  

Minor injuries were reported by emergency dispatches, but at least one driver walked away from the accident. 

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Hay bails are reported to be blocking traffic in the west-bound lanes of I-40 after exit 407.

Updated: 2:27 p.m.

Officers report that the bails of hay are in fact merely small bags, and that traffic should clear the debris quickly without accident. No clean up is planned.

Workers clear wreckage from an afternoon collision in front of Sevier County High School around 2 p.m.

A head-on auto collision has been reported at Sevier County High School about 20 minutes ago.

Update 2:11 p.m.

Two cars crashed in a head on collision earlier this afternoon shortly after Sevier County High School released students because of the weather.

It is unclear as of this time if either of the drivers were students. As of this time, both drivers' conditions are unkown. 

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