First Fatality On Macon County Roads This Year

By Debbie Gregory

A one-vehicle wreck on Wednesday, February 3, 2021, resulted in the first traffic fatality on Macon County roads this year.

 

The fatal wreck, that killed 19-year-old Makayla Maliyah (Li Li) Donnell of Pleasant Shade, occurred on Old Bottom Road and was investigated by Trooper Zack Raney, of the Tennessee Highway Patrol. 

According to Trooper Raney, “Makayla Donnell was driving a Fiat 500 SUV west on Old Bottom Road, when her vehicle went off the right side of the road and hit a tree. The impact of hitting the tree, spun her vehicle across the roadway and it came to final rest facing east. She was not wearing a seat belt.”

Miss Donnell was pronounced deceased at the scene by the medical death investigator.

Those responding to the scene were the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Lafayette Fire Department, Macon County Sheriff’s Department, Macon County EMS, Macon County Rescue Squad, and the Macon County Chronicle.

Miss Donnell attended the Lighthouse Christian Academy, in Lafayette, through the eleventh grade. At the time of her death she was employed as a cashier at Price Less Foods in Westmoreland.

Funeral services for Miss Donnell were held at the Carthage Chapel of Sanderson Funeral Home on Monday afternoon, February 8, with Bro. Wayne Andrews officiating. Burial followed in the Pleasant Shade Cemetery.

(See complete obituary on B-3)