A well-known Sweetwater optometrist, Dr. Frederick J. Wright, was killed in a motorcycle accident on U.S. Highway 129 Wednesday afternoon in Blount County.

According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Wright, 68, was traveling northbound on Highway 129 about a mile from the intersection with Highway 72.

THP said Wright lost control of his 1996 Harley-Davidson bike while going around a curve and left the roadway overturning into a ditch. The Highway Patrol said Wright was wearing a helmet and no drugs or alcohol were involved.

Wright for years has had a popular practice on Main Street. On Thursday, a black ribbon was tied on the door to his office.

Friends recall him as an outstanding doctor and an even better person.

Sweetwater Veterinarian Dr. Hugh McCampbell knew Wright for years and had flown planes a few times with Wright, who was an avid pilot.

"I just always thought of him as the kind of Southern gentleman you would like to introduce your wife or daughter to," McCampbell said.

Wright's office staff said on Friday, a friend who was riding behind Wright at the time of the accident thought it was possible Wright may have suffered a medical problem just prior to his accident and that the doctor was driving slowly at at the time of the crash. It was not confirmed for sure as of Friday if a medical problem was a factor in the wreck.

See full story in the Sunday, Oct. 28, edition of The Advocate & Democrat.