Son of Popcorn Sutton dies after East TN motorcycle crash

COCKE COUNTY, Tenn. (WATE) — The son of moonshine legend Popcorn Sutton was killed in a motorcycle crash in Cocke County, Tennessee on Friday, the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) reported. The victim was identified as Solomon Sealbury Sutton, 31, of North Carolina. He was the son of Marvin "Popcorn" Sutton, who is a legendary figure in southern Appalachia and the liquor industry. Solomon was wearing a helmet. The elder Sutton became an ambassador for the trade, rising to fame in his documentary ‘The Last Dam Run of Likker I’ll Ever Make’ in 2002. According to the THP crash report, a minivan was trying to turn left from East Highway 25/70 onto Highway 107 around 6:20 p.m. At the same time, Sutton was riding his motorcycle east on East Highway 25/70. As the minivan turned left, it entered the eastbound lane and struck the motorcycle, the THP said. The vehicles came to a final rest in the intersection. The driver of the minivan was injured but could be charged "pending outcome of investigation." Solomon was memorialized by 'Moonshiners' Steven Tickle, who said "Solomon wasn't simply "Popcorn's son....He was Solomon." Popcorn Sutton's moonshine still lives on. Ole Smoky Distillery is mass-producing the original “Popcorn Sutton” recipe. The distillery makes Popcorn Sutton’s “Likker” and Bourbon whiskey. It’s served in a bottle instead of a jar.