Rikola Mary C. Rainwater 11-2-87
Automobile Accident


Two Knoxville women, one a former resident of Oak Ridge, died Monday night, Nov. 2 when the car in which they were riding was struck head-on by another vehicle.  The accident occurred around 6:30 p.m. at Pleasant Ridge Road near Schadd Drive in Knoxville.
Mary Catherine Riikola Rainwater 39 of 4316 Deerfield Road, a native of Oak Ridge, died at the scene of the accident and Jan Lizabeth Hotchkiss Cox, 36, of 4409 Deerfield Road, died at 6:55 p.m. in St. Mary's Medical Center.  Mrs. Cox was the driver of the Ford LTD and both women were returning home from an aerobics class.
According to Officer Chris Seal and Sgt. Robert Sexton, both of the Knox County Sheriff's Department, the two women were headed north on Pleasant Ridge Road when a southbound Toyota Celica, driven by a 16-year-old boy, crossed into their lane and hit them head-on.
He does not even remember what happened,' Sexton said as to why the youth crossed the centerline.  He also said that alcohol was not suspected.  Criminal charges were pending against the youth, who was listed in serious but stable condition at St. Mary's Medical Center.
Mrs. Rainwater was born in Oak Ridge to Archie and Catherine Riikola, now of 107 Lynwood Lane.  The family came to Oak Ridge in 1944 and formerly lived on 101 Carlisle Lane.  Her father is retired from Oak Ridge National Laboratory and her mother taught school in Minnesota and St. Mary's Elementary School.  She was also a  substitute teacher in the Oak Ridge School system.
Mrs. Rainwater attended St. Mary's Elementary School and graduated from Oak Ridge High School.  Following graduation she attended East Tennessee State University until her marriage to George V. Rainwater, owner of Rainwater Insurance Agency.

Posted By: NS Administrator - 05-12-2016
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