Deadly Saturday on Macon County Roads: Two Die in Two Separate Wrecks

By Debbie Gregory

Two people lost their lives in two separate wrecks in Macon County on Saturday afternoon, August 19.

The Macon County Sheriff’s Department investigated the first wreck, which occurred at approximately 1:50 p.m. on Hwy. 10 North (Scottsville Road), at the Ray Jones Circle intersection.

According to the investigating officer, 73-year-old Ralph Duffer, of Macon County, was driving north on Scottsville Road in a 2007 Saturn and 44-year-old Maria Ibarra-Ibarra, also of Macon County, was driving south in a 1999 Toyota SUV. The SUV reportedly crossed the center line and hit the Saturn head-on. 

Mr. Duffer was airlifted to Skyline Hospital, where he died from injuries sustained in the wreck. Ms. Ibarra was transported by ground ambulance to Sumner Regional Medical Center. Her condition was unknown at press time. They were both wearing seat belts.

This is an open investigation.

Funeral services for Mr. Ralph Duffer will be conducted on Thursday, August 24, at 2 p.m. from the chapel of Alexander Funeral Home with Brother Ricky Vance officiating. Interment will follow in the Shrum Cemetery.   

The Tennessee Highway Patrol investigated the second wreck, that occurred at approximately 3:00 p.m. on Oakdale Road. 

The report states that 70-year-old Doyle Ray Hawkins, of Macon County, was driving north on Oakdale Road in a 2008 International 430 dump truck, when the vehicle ran off the right side of the roadway, over-corrected, crossed back over the roadway, ran off the left side of the roadway and struck a standing tree. Mr. Hawkins was deceased at the scene.

The report also states that Mr. Hawkins was not wearing a seat belt.

Funeral services for Mr. Doyle Ray Hawkins will be conducted today, Tuesday, August 22, at 11:00 a.m. from the chapel of Anderson & Son Funeral Home in Lafayette, with Randy Wells and Mike Rogers officiating. Interment will follow in the Eulia Cemetery.