On May 15, 2010 a single vehicle crash involving a GMC Canyon truck was found by Deputies with the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office in the 1000 block of Retro Hughes Road. The truck had been traveling east down the mountain on Retro Hughes Road when the driver lost control, leaving the roadway and going down a ravine before striking a tree. The driver was identified as Brian Copeland age 23, of Hixson and the passenger was identified as Billie Jo Littleton age 34, also of Hixson. Ms. Littleton was found lying outside the vehicle but Mr. Copeland had to be extricated from the vehicle by Sale Creek Fire Rescue. Both occupants were transported to Erlanger Medical Center via Life Force.

Ms. Littleton has since been released from Erlanger Hospital. Traffic Investigator Eddie Sledge was notified today, May 26, 2010 that Mr. Copeland died from the injuries he sustained in the crash.

This is the eleventh traffic fatality the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office has investigated this year.