The Caryville community is grieving the heartbreaking loss of Candace N. Barnett, 33, who was tragically killed in a train accident near the Campbell County line late Thursday night, October 2, 2025.
According to the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called to the area of Mountain Side Lane and Ponderosa Lane, just outside Rocky Top and behind the Cracker Barrel restaurant, after reports of a pedestrian being struck by a train.
SUPPORT THE FAMILY - GOD BLESS YOU
Emergency personnel arrived shortly after 10 p.m. and confirmed that Barnett had died at the scene from her injuries. Investigators with the Criminal Investigation Division responded to conduct a detailed inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the fatal incident.
Authorities identified Barnett as a mother of four, a fact that has deepened the sorrow within the Caryville community. Friends and neighbors describe her as a devoted mother whose life centered around her children and family. “She was always smiling, always putting her kids first,” one family friend shared.
The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the small Tennessee town, with residents expressing disbelief and heartbreak over the sudden loss. Local leaders and community members have extended prayers and condolences to Barnett’s family as they navigate this unimaginable grief.
As the investigation continues, officials have not released further details regarding what led to the accident. The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office expressed its sympathy to the family and gratitude to the first responders who assisted at the scene.