An investigation is underway after a paramedic is killed and another injured in a Jefferson County crash.
The Tennessee Department of Transportation says it happened on I-40 West and that a tractor-trailer was also involved in the crash.
Brad Phillips, the Jefferson County EMS director, says the crash happened around 9:30 p.m. Saturday on I-40 near the I-81 interchange.
Phillips says the ambulance was responding to a report of a crash with injuries in the area when it was hit by the commercial vehicle.
A preliminary report by the Tennessee Highway Patrol says 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.
Phillips says the ambulance had two Jefferson County paramedics on board, Jeremy Sutton and Sarah Brooks, both of whom were injured and taken to the University of Tennessee Medical Center.
Sutton had “severe injuries” and died shortly after arriving at the hospital, Phillips said. He added that Brooks is still in the hospital in stable condition.
The preliminary report says neither Sutton nor Brooks were 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.
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 Saturday night, Jefferson County Mayor Mark Potts and several other agencies released statements 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.
Jefferson County Mayor Mark Potts
