Knoxville teen killed crossing Oak Ridge Highway

Nov. 17--KNOXVILLE -- A 15-year-old Knoxville boy died Monday after he was struck by a car while trying to cross Oak Ridge Highway, according to the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

Connor Miles Slay was killed in the 9:26 p.m. incident near the intersection with Hackworth Road, according to a report filed by Highway Patrol Trooper John Capps.

Miles' mother, Kathryn Slay, about 9 a.m. Tuesday tweeted a message about her son's death.

"Last night we lost our perfectly imperfect son @WRSlayer. Our pain right now is raw & deep & wide. Miles is an amazing person. #weloveu," stated the tweet.

Miles attended Grace Christian Academy, where he hoped to play football.

Miles was trying to cross the westbound lane of Oak Ridge Highway when he was hit by a 2002 Nissan Maxima. Oak Ridge Highway is reduced to two lanes near Hackworth Road. The speed limit in that section of highway is 50 mph, the trooper noted.

Capps said Byron J. Duncan, 34, of Knoxville was driving the westbound Maxima when the impact occurred.

Duncan was not charged in Miles' death, but the trooper cited him for driving on a suspended license, violation of the state registration law and failure to show proof of financial responsibility (no insurance), according to Capps' report.

Duncan was using a seat belt and was not injured in the crash. While Capps' report makes no mention of substance abuse by Duncan, authorities took blood samples from him to test for alcohol or drugs. That testing is mandated by state law in any fatal crash.

More details as they develop online and in Wednesday's News Sentinel.

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