A WEEKEND ACCIDENT IN JEFFERSON COUNTY HAS CLAIMED THE LIFE OF A KINGSPORT WOMAN AND HAS LEFT ANOTHER MAN INJURED. ACCORDING TO THE TENNESSEE HIGHWAY PATROL, 15 YEAR OLD SAMANTHA KESTNER WAS DRIVING WESTBOUND ON I-81 NEAR I-40 WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO MERGE INTO ANOTHER LANE THAT WAS OCCUPIED BY A VEHCILE BEING DRIVEN BY 18 YEAR OLD RICHARD FORD OF GRAY. SHE SWERVED TO THE RIGHT TO AVOID A COLLISION, BUT RAN OFF THE ROADWAY AND STRUCK AN EMBANKMENT. HER MOTHER, 41 YEAR OLD RHONDA KESTNER WAS A PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE AND WAS KILLED. THE ACCIDENT IS STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION.