Written by: Emma Rodriguez
A 16-year-old Ooltewah High School student lost his life Sept. 19 in a car accident on Snow Hill Road.
The teenager, whom police identified as Maxwell Quarles, lost control of his vehicle while overcorrecting left. Friends, family and local residents are mourning the loss while also calling for urgent safety improvements to the roadway where the crash occurred.
Friends of the Quarles family have come together to honor Quarles’ memory and to advocate for change. A petition initiated by local residents urges the Hamilton County Commission to install guardrails along Snow Hill Road, 20 minutes north from Southern’s Campus. Proponents of the petition argue that the lack of safety measures poses a significant risk to drivers, especially on the curvy and steep stretches of the road.
According to an article published by Fox Chattanooga, the community’s concerns are echoed by residents who have expressed frustration over ongoing safety issues on Snow Hill Road.
“Lighting would definitely help,” said Keenan Daniels, a local resident. “I don’t know if it’s possible, but maybe some railing [should be installed] or something like that.”
Gabe Lowe, a friend of Quarles from Ooltewah High School, said, “Right outside my school, there’s an exit I don’t even want to go out of, because it goes uphill and then to the right on Snow Hill Road. New drivers like me and my friends, we aren’t experienced enough to be able to handle that kind of anxiety driving on these roads.”
Tennessee’s Department of Safety and Homeland Security reports more than 60 accidents on Snow Hill Road in the last two years, with 28 of those occurring in 2024.
According to Quarles obituary at Dignity Memorial, he was actively involved in sports and community activities, leaving a lasting impact on those who knew him.
Jill O’Daniel, a family friend, left her condolences on his online obituary, stating, “We were honored and blessed to have had Max in our youth group. Week after week he came with a smile on his face. We were privileged to have baptized him last summer. We will continue to lift your family in prayers.”
Those who would like to send condolences to Quarles’ family and friends can visit www.chattanoogavalleyviewchapel.com or sign this petition to implement guardrails.
