A one-vehicle accident took the life of a Rickman resident Monday afternoon, June 3.

Lawrence Thomas Whalen, 22, of Curtis Road in Rickman was driving his 1999 Chevy Cavalier south on Hwy. 111 (toward Cookeville) when he traveled off the left side of the roadway and crossed a grass median. The car then entered into the northbound lanes of travel and ran off the roadway on the left side striking a rock wall and coming to a final rest.

Upon arrival at the scene, the Jaws of Life was used to free Whalen from the vehicle. After being extricated, emergency crews worked vigorously to save his life. He was transported to Livingston Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

He was wearing his seatbelt and the airbags did deploy. Drugs and alcohol use are suspected in the accident. Toxicology reports are pending.

Trooper Andrew Goolsby investigated the accident.