From Post staff reports

A near head-on collision claimed the lives of two people Monday morning on Highway 109.

The accident occurred about 6:46 a.m. at 6370 Hwy. 109 near Northern Road.

Trooper John Flemming of the Tennessee Highway Patrol said in his report that a 2005 Nissan XTR driven by Joannie I. Rucker, 52, of Gallatin, drifted over into the southbound lane of Hwy. 109 striking the front driver’s side of a 2010 Chevrolet sedan driven by Dayton W. Lauderdale, 26, also of Gallatin, “in a near head-on fashion.”

Rucker and Lauderdale died as a result of the accident. Flemming noted in his report that both drivers were wearing their seat belts.