MACON COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — A sergeant with the Macon County Sheriff’s Office lost his life overnight following an on-duty crash involving a wrong-way driver.

According to Macon County Chief Deputy Kyle Petty, the collision took place around 12:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 29 along Highway 10, north of Lafayette.

Officials said a 2013 Ford F-150 was traveling north on Highway 10 when it crossed the center line and hit 55-year-old Macon County Sgt. William Cherry, who was driving a 2020 Dodge Durango, head-on in the southbound lane. Cherry reportedly died in the crash.

The truck driver — identified by Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) as a 24-year-old Tennessean — was flown to the hospital, Petty said. There is no word on the nature of the driver’s injuries.

THP said neither the truck driver nor Cherry was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the collision.

The sheriff’s office posted the following statement on Facebook Saturday morning:

Today is a tragic day for the Macon County Sheriff’s Office and the family of Sgt. William Cherry. Sgt. Cherry was killed in the line of duty last night in a motor vehicle accident. The family and the Sheriff’s Office need all of your prayers and support. Sgt. Cherry will be greatly missed by the Sheriffs Office and the citizens he served. William served the citizens of Macon County with honor and dignity.

Authorities said an escort for Cherry will be passing through Macon County around 2 p.m. Saturday as his body is brought to Anderson & Son Funeral Home in Lafayette.

Numerous law enforcement and emergency response agencies in Macon County, Clay County, Coopertown, Dyer County, Gainesboro, Gallatin, Greene County, Hendersonville, Lafayette, Lebanon, Morgan County, Mt. Juliet, Portland, Scott County, Smith County, South Carthage, Trousdale County, Tusculum, Westmoreland, and Wilson County have shared the following image in Cherry’s honor, in addition to sharing their thoughts and prayers:

“May God provide peace to those who knew him. He will be greatly missed,” Macon County Emergency Medical Services stated. “May his family, coworkers, and friends be in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”

“RIP Sgt. Cherry, you will be greatly missed. Many of our employees were lucky to be able to serve with you when you was serving the citizens of Celina and Clay County,” the Clay County Sheriff’s Office wrote. “Rest easy brother, we will take it from here.”

“On behalf of Sheriff Weatherford and the entire Sumner County Sheriff’s Office, we are saddened to hear of the passing of Macon County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant William Cherry,” the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office posted. “Sheriff Weatherford has ordered a period of mourning for the Sheriff’s Office, effective immediately. Please keep Sgt. Cherry’s family and the Macon County Sheriff’s Office in your thoughts and prayers as they work through this tremendous loss.”

Petty reported THP is investigating the incident, adding that charges are pending against the driver.

No additional details have been shared about this deadly crash.