JEFFERSON COUNTY, Tenn. (WVLT/Gray News) – Officials say a paramedic was killed and another was injured in a crash involving a tractor-trailer on a Tennessee interstate.
Brad Phillips, the Jefferson County EMS director, said the crash happened around 9:30 p.m. Saturday on Interstate 40 near the interchange with Interstate 81. A tractor-trailer was involved, according to the Tennessee Department of Transportation.
Phillips said the ambulance was responding to a report of a crash with injuries in the area when it was hit by the commercial vehicle, WVLT reports.
The ambulance had two Jefferson County paramedics, Jeremy Sutton and Sarah Brooks, on board, according to Phillips. Both of them were injured and taken to the University of Tennessee Medical Center.
Sutton suffered “severe injuries” and died shortly after arriving at the hospital, Phillips said. He added that Brooks is still in the hospital in stable condition.
A preliminary report by the Tennessee Highway Patrol provided additional details about the crash, saying the ambulance was traveling southbound on I-81 and the tractor-trailer was on I-40 West as it merged with I-81.
The ambulance, which had its emergency lights on, turned in front of the tractor-trailer as it tried to access I-40 East at a small crossover, resulting in the crash, according to THP.
The preliminary report said neither Sutton nor Brooks was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.
The driver of the commercial vehicle, a 67-year-old man from Georgia, was wearing a seatbelt and not injured, Phillips said.
THP is continuing to investigate the crash, and according to the preliminary report, possible charges against both drivers are pending the outcome of the ongoing investigation.
After the crash, Jefferson County Mayor Mark Potts released the following statement regarding Sutton’s death:
Jefferson County mourns the loss of Paramedic Jeremy Sutton who passed away last night as a result of an ambulance accident while on duty. Our prayers and sympathy are extended to his family and to all our public safety employees.
Also, remember Paramedic Sarah Brooks who was also injured in the accident. We pray for Sarah and her family.
Thank you to all the public safety agencies who assisted last evening.
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