FROM STAFF REPORTS

A Tellico Plains area man was killed Wednesday morning after his vehicle struck a telephone pole.

Tennessee Highway Patrol Trooper Philip Warren said 71-year-old John Radford died just before 11 a.m. Wednesday after his truck ran off the road, crossed a ditch, went up and embankment and struck a telephone pole.

Warren reported Radford was traveling southbound on Highway 68 near the intersection of Old State Highway 68 when he left the road, according to the THP report.

Radford was wearing his seat belt at the time of the crash. The report indicated Radford was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol before the crash occurred, but standard blood tests are still being administered as is normal procedure for fatal accidents.