Community mourns 11-year-old killed in Murfreesboro crash

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WSMV) - An 11-year-old boy is dead after a head-on car crash in Murfreesboro Monday afternoon.

According to police, officers responded to the crash around 3:15 p.m. on Monday. The incident took place on Lascassas Pike, just east of DeJarnette Lane.

Police said it appears the driver of a gray Toyota Camry was traveling south on Lascassas Pike when he veered over into oncoming traffic and struck a red Toyota Corolla. An 11-year-old boy was in the backseat of the Corolla, along with a male driver, female passenger and another young boy.

MPD officers and Murfreesboro Fire personnel attempted performed life-saving measure on the boy, who was later pronounced dead at the hospital. The male driver of the Corolla was trapped inside the vehicle and firefighters had to use special equipment to free him. The woman and other boy, 9 years old, were also injured in the collision. All were taken to the hospital and are considered to be in critical, but stable condiitons.

Providence Christian Academy said Cole Johnson was a 5th-grade student at the school and people in the area are heartbroken. One man said he’ll never forget this little boy. Charlie Pitts barbershop sits along Lascassas road in Murfreesboro, just a few feet away from where a head-on car crash killed a little boy, a boy Pitt said he ran for his life to help.

It was just like any other day, Charlie Pitt was in his barbershop working with an employee.

“I had just got done working on a customer,” Pitts said.

When he heard a loud bang.

“I said that sounded like A plane fell out of the sky,” Pitts said.

When Charlie ran outside, two cars smashed together with people inside.

“We tried to open doors but they were stuck and we got into the front door and got one little guy out on the ground,” Pitts said.

That little guy was 11-year-old, Cole Johnson. While Charlie said he saw three others in the car he did the only thing he could think of after calling 9-1-1.

“I just held his hands and prayed for him,” Pitts said.

After paramedics arrived and took everyone to the hospital, Charlie said he sat there praying, but hours later Charlie found out he’d never hold Cole’s hand again.

“I thought he was going to live but he’s the one that passed away,” Pitts said.

Charlies said he burst into tears.

“It killed me, it really did. He was a beautiful boy,” Pitts said.

A boy Charlie said he will always remember with a cross.

“I put this cross up to remind people to be safe.”

But, most importantly.

“In memory of the young man that passed away,” Pitt said.

Providence Christian Academy provided the following statement regarding this accident:

The guy driving the Camry was also injured and taken to the hospital. There was a man riding with him in the Camry, who suffered minor injuries.

MPD reports all were wearing seatbelts. The crash remains under investigation and charges are possible.

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