According to the Knoxville Police, the tragic accident occurred on Sunday morning around 3 a.m. The three were traveling on the Weisgarber exit ramp along Interstate 40 when their Dodge pickup veered off the road and struck a guardrail. After exiting their vehicle, a Chevy pickup hit both their Dodge and the trio, resulting in the heartbreaking deaths of all three at the scene. The driver of the Chevy sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to the hospital for treatment.
For Jessiah Plemons and Lily Rose, their love story had only just begun, and they were living their happiest moments. Lily, known for her bubbly and carefree personality, brought joy to everyone around her. Her cousin, August McClelland, fondly recalled her as someone who loved having fun, often creating TikTok videos with friends and family. “Lily was just the life of our family. She could light up any room. Her laughter would fill the space,” shared Selena McClelland, Lily’s aunt.
Jessiah was passionate about music, and his devotion was clear in everything he did. He introduced Lily to her first concert and gifted her first guitar. While he learned to play the drums, Lily learned to strum the guitar, forming a beautiful harmony between them. Despite past struggles with addiction, Jessiah had turned his life around and dedicated himself to helping others overcome similar challenges. He often sponsored individuals battling addiction, shared his experiences at local jails, and positively impacted countless lives. His mother, Michelle Plemons, remembered him as a caring soul who always prioritized the well-being of others.
Jessiah also extended his love to his older sister’s two young children, offering them a nurturing home to prevent them from entering the care of the Department of Children’s Services.
Lily Rose was a devoted mother to her own children, a son and a daughter, cherishing every moment of motherhood. Together, Jessiah and Lily were planning to unite their families, which would have included six children in total. They had eloped in secret, keeping their wedding hidden from their families. Jessiah had asked his sister, Milea Effler, to watch the children on Friday, though the reason remained a mystery. Tragically, Effler learned of their secret wedding through social media and shortly afterward received the devastating news of the accident.
This accident has left a community in deep mourning, grieving the loss of these young lives who were full of hope, dreams, and promise for the future.