NEWPORT-Aminah J. Assilmi, a renowned Muslim scholar and director of the International Union of Muslim Women, died in a one-vehicle accident in Cocke County early Friday.

According to a report filed by Trooper Tyler Hall, of the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Assilmi, 65, died from injuries suffered in a 3:21 a.m. Friday accident on Highway 25/70 near Del Rio.

Trooper Hall reports Assilmi was a passenger in a 1994 Ford being driven by her son, 29-year-old Mohammed H. Benjelloun, of Atlanta.

Benjelloun was reportedly westbound on Highway 25/70 when he apparently fell asleep at the wheel while negotiating a curve, according to Hall's report. The vehicle then left the roadway on the right side and struck an embankment and tree stump.

Both occupants of the vehicle were wearing seat belts, but Hall noted the safety restraints would not have made a difference in the accident.

Benjelloun was reportedly taken to University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville for treatment of his injuries. His condition was unavailable at presstime.

No charges are expected to be filed in the accident.

According to the Council on American-Islamic Relations, Assilmi was returning home from a speaking engagement in New York when the accident occurred.