Tennessee Community Mourns 16 Lost in Accurate Energetic Systems Explosion
On October 10, 2025, tragedy struck the community of rural Centerville, near McEwen, Tennessee. The devastating explosion at the Accurate Energetic Systems (AES) plant killed 16 people. Reports state that the blast could be felt over 20 miles away and destroyed parts of the facility. The authorities have released the names of the victims lost in this unbelievable tragedy.
Remembering the victims
The 16 victims included Pastor Trent Stewart of The Log Church in Waverly. His congregation gathered in prayer last Sunday after the explosion. Stewart’s fiancée gave a statement in which she referred to him as the person who made her “laugh until I could not breathe.”
The daughter of Reyna Gillahan, another victim, described her mother as “a beautiful soul – loving, strong, and always thinking of others before herself.”
The other victims were named in a press conference as “Jason Adams; Billy Baker; Christopher Clark; James Cook; LaTeisha Mays; Melinda Rainey; Steven Wright; Erick Anderson; Adam Boatman; Mindy Clifton; Jeremy Moore; Melissa Stafford; Rachel Woodall; and Donald Yowell.”
The small and tight-knit community is now banding together and creating local fundraisers to support those left behind. Sheriff Chris Davis of Humphreys County spoke about how the loss is impacting the entire region. In the small, rural area, “everybody knows each other, and everybody is going to take care of each other.”
Candlelight vigils in the local courthouses and churches in Waverly, Centerville, and McEwen are allowing the community to grieve together.
What we know about the AES explosion
The blast occurred during the morning shift, at around 7:45 a.m. More than 300 emergency responders searched the area looking for any survivors, but no one lived through the devastating explosion, which leveled an entire building and scattered debris across several miles. The site still remains hazardous as crews work to clear live explosives and other dangerous debris. The ATF and FBI are working with the local sheriff’s office on the investigation.
Background on Accurate Energetic Systems (AES)
AES is a military and demolition explosives manufacturer that produces high-energy compounds and testing materials for the U.S. Department of Defense. The facility is located on a 1,300-acre campus. AES is one of the most significant private employers in the region, with a workforce of around 115. Starting wages are between $19 and $21 an hour, making it one of the higher-paying employers in the region. Many local families have some connection to the plant.
While AES was fined by OSHA in 2019, it settled those issues. There was a previous fatal explosion on the site in 2014, but it involved a tenant company, and not AES. The authorities have not yet released information regarding the cause of the blast. Investigators are reviewing design blueprints, records, and recovered debris as they work to piece together what went wrong.
Legal rights after a workplace explosion
When a tragic workplace explosion like this occurs, victims’ families often face incredible hardships. The unimaginable grief is only part of the loss. Victims’ loved ones may be left struggling financially as well after losing wage earners and their financial support. These families may have legal rights to compensation for wrongful death or negligence.
The investigations into this industrial explosion may soon uncover the cause. In some cases, the reason for a tragedy like this could be:
- Negligent safety practices or inadequate oversight
- Defective equipment or materials supplied by third parties
- Violations of OSHA or federal safety standards
These cases often involve multiple responsible parties, including the company. It is possible that families may be entitled to recover damages for losses and expenses, including funeral and burial costs, lost wages and benefits, emotional suffering and loss of companionship, and medical or counseling costs related to trauma. It is important for the loved ones of the victims in this incident to get the legal help and support that they need. Workplace explosion cases can be extremely complicated, so you need a lawyer who is ready to investigate, gather evidence, and work with experts, and if needed, litigate your case in front of a judge and jury.
How Rocky McElhaney Law Firm helps Tennessee families
The Rocky McElhaney Law Firm has represented Tennessee families and workers facing devastating injuries, burns, and wrongful deaths caused by negligence. As lifelong Tennesseans, our team is proud to fight for the workers and families who keep our communities strong. We are carefully following the investigation into the AES blast to better understand the cause of this tragic explosion.
If you or someone you love was affected by the Accurate Energetic Systems explosion, you do not have to face this alone. Rocky McElhaney Law Firm: Car Accident & Injury Lawyers is here to help families across Tennessee understand their rights. We offer free consultations and no fees unless they win your case. Call the Rocky McElhaney Law Firm today or fill out our online contact form to speak to an experienced workplace accident lawyer.
