UTM alum killed in motorcycle wreck

UTM alumnus Chace A. Wimberley was killed Tuesday, Dec. 15, after he lost control of the motorcycle he was driving and struck a fire hydrant.Wimberley, 23, of Dyer, Tenn., was traveling east on Mount Pelia Road at a high rate of speed when he lost control of his 2007 Suzuki motorcycle while passing another vehicle, witnesses said.

According to a Martin Police Department report, the first witness said she was traveling west on Mount Pelia Road when she saw Wimberley traveling toward her at a high rate of speed. The witness said Wimberley ran off the road and flipped at least twice.


The second witness said Wimberley passed her after she went around a left-hand curve. As Wimberley was passing her he started to fishtail and lost control of the motorcycle, she said.

Wimberley was transported by ambulance to Volunteer Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.


A May 2008 graduate of UTM with a degree in philosophy, Wimberley was also an alumnus of Sigma Chi fraternity and one of the UTM chapter's founding members. Friends said he remained an integral part of the fraternity after his graduation.


"Chace was simply himself, a funny, incredible guy," said Rachel Stephens, a senior Communications major. "His brothers and friends are devastated by this."


Karnes and Sons Funeral Home of Dyer is handling the funeral arrangement. Visitation will be 6:00-9:00 p.m Thursday. The funeral will be Friday at 2:00 with burial at Oakwood Cemetary in Dyer.