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Accident claims life of UTM student


A 21-year-old University of Tennessee at Martin student from Waverly died Wednesday afternoon in a two-vehicle accident near the Weakley County and Obion County line.

Will B. McClanahan, a senior agriculture major and a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity, was driving on Hundley Road in eastern Obion County at about 4 p.m. when the crash occurred.

According to Tennessee Highway Patrol reports, McClanahan was southbound on Hundley Road when his 1994 Ford pickup apparently veered left of the centerline and collided head-on with a northbound 1997 Dodge pickup, driven by Clifford McWherter, 22, of Rives.

McClanahan was pronounced dead at the scene. McWherter sustained injures in the accident, said a Memphis THP dispatcher.

No charges have been filed in the crash. UTM Chancellor Dr. Nick Dunagan expressed sympathy at McClanahan¹s death. "Our hearts go out to the McClanahan family and Will's many friends on campus," Dunagan said.

"His Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity brothers and many other friends will miss him greatly."

Dr. Katie High, vice chancellor for student affairs, added, "While this is a great tragedy, I am heartened by the outpouring of sympathy and concern by the campus community for Will¹s family and friends."

Services for McClanahan were held Saturday at First United Methodist Church in Waverly.