From WRIL - The Big One -
The Tennessee Highway Patrol has completed their report regarding the triple fatality that took place on Saturday, April 6, 2024, on the Highway 33 bridge in Union County.
As we previously reported, Union County Constable John Dennis received reports from Union County E-911 at approximately 5:56 p.m. on the 6th of a white Dodge pickup truck driving recklessly in the Sharps Chapel community. It was reported that the vehicle had struck a mailbox and a tree. The driver of the truck has been identified as 50-year-old Kevin H. Smith traveling with passenger 29-year-old Caleb C. Bales.
Constable Dennis began looking for Smith's truck passing it on Sharps Chapel Rd around 65 mph in a 45mph zone. The constable turned around and found the vehicle stopped in a parking lot on Sharps Chapel Rd near Palmer Junction Rd.
Dennis pulled into the parking lot, activated his emergency lights and exited his vehicle, and Smith sped off towards Highway 33. The constable returned to his vehicle and headed in the direction the truck went catching a glimpse as it ran the stop sign on Sharps Chapel Road at Highway 33.
The THP states that's when the pickup was traveling southbound on Maynardville Highway, while a 2010 Dodge Caravan driven by 22-year-old Joshua Scott was traveling northbound. It was determined that Smith crossed the center double yellow line and collided head-on into the van Scott was driving. The pickup then left the left side of the roadway, traveled over the guardrail, caught fire, and came to final rest off the left side of roadway. The Caravan came to final rest in the southbound lane of the bridge.
Joshua Scott, Kevin H. Smith, and Caleb C. Bales all died in the incident.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol also tells WRIL that they are aware of the statement from the Tennessee Constable Association. However, this is still an ongoing investigation in consultation with the 8th Judicial District Attorney’s Office.