Knox County residents are mourning the loss of 21-year-old Kylie Veronica Roberto, who died in a crash on April 14, 2024. The deadly collision on Schaeffer Road has sparked urgent community conversations about road safety.
Here’s what happened, who Kylie was as a vibrant young woman, and how her death is driving change.
The Crash: What Happened on Schaeffer Road
Two SUVs collided head-on Sunday evening, April 14, 2024, on Schaeffer Road near Hardin Valley in West Knox County. Kylie Roberto, riding as a passenger in one of the vehicles, died at the scene.
Knox County Sheriff’s reports show that 24-year-old Savannah Stanley was behind the wheel of the SUV that crossed the center line and hit the vehicle Kylie was in. The crash also injured two passengers—one seriously—while both drivers escaped with minor injuries. First responders rushed to help but couldn’t save Kylie.
“It was a sound I’ll never forget,” said Mark Thompson, who lives nearby. “I ran outside, and neighbors were already calling 911. You can feel how deeply this has affected everyone around here.”
Investigators closed Schaeffer Road until nearly midnight as they collected evidence and tried to piece together the crash sequence.
Investigation Finds Key Factors
The Sheriff’s Crash Reconstruction Team has uncovered two likely causes: speeding and alcohol.
Tests show Stanley’s SUV was going much faster than allowed when it veered across the center line. Blood testing points to alcohol impairment as a major factor.
“We see this deadly combination far too often,” said Deputy James Wilson from the traffic safety unit. “Mix speed with alcohol, and tragedy follows.”
Charges against Stanley haven’t been filed yet. Investigators want every detail documented before moving forward.
“We owe it to Kylie and her family to get this right,” Wilson said. “That means taking our time to build a complete picture of that night.”
Kylie Roberto: More Than a Headline
Behind the headlines was a real person with dreams, talents, and a life full of promise.
At just 21, Kylie had already made her mark professionally. After graduating from Bearden High in 2021, she became both a bridal consultant and sales manager at White Lace and Promises bridal shop. Her impact on customers was remarkable.
“Kylie had a talent for making every bride feel like the only woman in the world,” said Jennifer Adams, who worked alongside her. “She could read what people wanted, even when they couldn’t put it into words themselves.”
Outside of work, Kylie’s love for animals showed in her passion for horseback riding. She also had quite the green thumb and artistic eye.
Her friend Melissa Torres recalled with a laugh, “That tiny apartment balcony of hers looked like a rainforest. She’d propagate plants just to give them away as presents. Everyone has a little piece of Kylie’s garden in their homes.”
A Father’s Heartbreak and Call to Action
Knox County Councilmember Andrew Roberto, Kylie’s father, broke hearts with his simple Facebook message:
“Our family is shattered by losing our beautiful Kylie. Thank you for the love you’ve shown us. Please respect our need for privacy as we navigate this impossible pain.”
Yet even while grieving, Andrew has found purpose. At last week’s council meeting, his voice shook, but his message was clear – Knox County needs better driver safety measures and more pedestrian options.
“Look at the numbers,” he told the silent chamber. “Fatal crashes up 35% in our county. Drugs or alcohol were involved in 64% of deadly wrecks. Each percentage point represents someone’s child, someone’s world torn apart.”
Before business began that day, Mayor Glenn Jacobs asked everyone to bow their heads for Kylie – a rare personal moment in government chambers that showed how deeply this loss has touched local leaders.
Community Response and Support
Tributes poured in from everywhere after Kylie’s death. Instagram and Facebook overflowed with photos, memories, and heartbroken messages from people whose lives she touched.
Bearden High opened its doors for an impromptu memorial where Kylie’s former classmates and teachers gathered. The gym that once echoed with basketball games and pep rallies is now filled with stories and tears.
“That girl never had a mean bone in her body,” Mrs. Simmons said, dabbing her eyes. “Ask any teacher – finding a teenager who genuinely likes everybody is like finding a unicorn.”
At White Lace and Promises, the staff couldn’t bear to open the day after learning about Kylie. A handwritten note taped to the door simply read, “Closed today as we mourn our dear Kylie.” When they returned, they placed a leather-bound book by the register where brides Kylie had helped wrote messages about how she’d made their special day even better.
Legislative Honor and Lasting Legacy
Something almost unheard of happened last week – the Tennessee General Assembly took time from their busy session to pass House Joint Resolution 1461 honoring Kylie. Politicians who argue about everything found something they all agreed on: this young woman’s life mattered.
“We can’t take away the Roberto family’s pain,” said Representative Tim Barnes, who introduced the resolution. “But we can make sure Kylie’s name becomes part of our state’s permanent record – and more importantly, a catalyst for preventing more senseless deaths.”
Rose Funeral Home’s published obituary captured Kylie in words that made even strangers feel they knew her: “A bright light extinguished far too soon.” It described how horses would nuzzle into her hand when others couldn’t get close. “She had a magic touch with frightened animals,” it read. “They somehow knew her gentle heart posed no threat.”
Preventing Future Tragedies
Kylie’s death has forced many to see what safety advocates have been saying for years – Knox County roads need serious improvements. Andrew Roberto isn’t waiting for someone else to fix the problem. He’s already working with experts to develop concrete solutions.
His approach tackles three fronts:
First, stronger DUI prevention – more checkpoints, tougher enforcement, and smarter awareness campaigns that change behavior.
Second, fixing dangerous roads – especially death traps like the curve on Schaeffer Road where Kylie died.
Third, give people ways to get around without cars – more sidewalks, bike lanes, and public transit options.
“People see a crash on the news and think ‘that’s awful’ but never imagine it happening to them,” said Sarah Williams, who’s taught driving for 15 years. “Truth is, it can be anyone’s child, anyone’s parent, anyone’s friend.”
She points to simple choices that save lives: call a ride if you’ve been drinking, put your phone in the glove box, slow down, and buckle up.
“Nothing fancy about it,” Williams said. “Just basic stuff that keeps people alive.”
How to Honor Kylie’s Memory
Hundreds packed Rose Funeral Home last week, spilling onto the lawn during Kylie’s celebration of life service. People who couldn’t find parking left their cars blocks away and walked to pay respects.
The Roberto family made a simple request: “No flowers, please.” Instead, they’ve established the Kylie Roberto Memorial Fund to improve driver education for teens and young adults in Knox County.
“If telling my daughter’s story saves just one life, if it keeps one family from getting the phone call we got…” Andrew Roberto’s voice trails off before he finds strength again. “Then some tiny sliver of good will have come from this nightmare.”
The community has rallied behind the Safe Driving Pledge, signed by over 2,000 residents. It asks people to never drive drunk and to actively stop others from doing so.
“Most of us have been there – a friend says ‘I’m fine to drive’ when they’re not,” explained Daniel Hart, who started the pledge. “All it takes is grabbing their keys and saying ‘I called an Uber.’ Kylie might be alive if someone had done just that.”
As spring blooms across Knox County, Kylie’s legacy endures through stronger laws, safer roads, and lives saved by changes inspired by her story, safer roads, and lives that will be saved because her story changed how we drive.
