Louisville, TN (WOKI) An investigation is underway after a fatal crash Thursday, July 27 in Blount County.
Blount County Sheriff’s Office officials say deputies responded to the single-vehicle crash in the 4200 block of Miser Station Road in Louisville around 7:00 p.m.
The BCSO says a 22-year-old man, who was riding in the vehicle, was killed, while the 17-year-old male driver was injured.
The identities of the individuals involved has not yet been released.
UPDATE: The body that was recovered at Third Creek Greenway Park on July 15 has positively been identified as Jeffery Dean Mason, DOB 10/16/63. At this time, cause of death remains undetermined, pending further examination by the Regional Forensic Center.
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Original story: KPD NEWS RELEASE: Update on Body Found at Third Creek Greenway Park
Knoxville Police Department detectives are continuing their investigation into the body that was found in the creek in Third Creek Greenway Park on Saturday, July 15, 2023.
The discovery of the body was reported by a passerby walking on the greenway at around 6:30 p.m. on Saturday night.
Based on the Medical Examiner’s Office’s preliminary examination, foul play is not suspected at this time.
Despite exhaustive measures, the male victim has not been positively identified and efforts to do so remain ongoing. The deceased had numerous unique tattoos, including the pictured tattoos.
Anyone who might be able to identify the deceased based on those tattoos is asked to contact the KPD Violent Crimes Unit at 865-215-7317.
Through the end of July, the Knoxville Police Department and Tennessee Highway Patrol will team up to conduct enhanced, high-visibility traffic enforcement in an effort to prevent fatal crashes.
That initiative will run through July 31st and focus specifically on state routes in and around Knoxville, including I-40, I-75, Broadway Street, Pellissippi Parkway, Magnolia Avenue, Clinton Highway and Chapman Highway.
“Keeping the roads safe is one of our top priorities,” Chief of Police Paul Noel said. “We will be vigorous and visible in our efforts to eliminate the reckless or careless behavior that makes the roads less safe. I appreciate our partners at THP for linking arms with us to deter serious, life-altering crashes.”
As of July 26, there have been 30 fatal crashes in Knoxville with a total of 31 deaths, which is well ahead of last year’s pace. At the same time in 2022, there were 19 fatal crashes with a total of 19 deaths.
The 2023 total includes five pedestrian fatalities and five motorcycle fatalities.
Nearly 25 percent of this year’s fatal crashes have happened on either I-40 or I-75. Other roads with multiple fatal crashes this year include Magnolia Avenue (4), Chapman Highway (3), Alcoa Highway (2) and Broadway Street (2).
Of the 21 fatalities so far in 2023 that were not pedestrians or motorcyclists, nearly 50 percent were not wearing seatbelts.
The Knoxville Police Department reminds motorists to obey the rules of the road, reduce distractions and pay attention, slow down, buckle up and never drive while under the influence.
Tim McGraw’s highly anticipated headlining 2024 Standing Room Only Tour is coming to Knoxville.
McGraw will be joined by Carly Pearce at Thompson Boling Arena on April 26th.
All tickets, including VIP packages, for the tour will go on sale next Friday at 10 a.m. Please go to tim mcgraw dot com for more information.
Knox County, TN (WOKI) Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs’ “School Mania” will take place Friday, July 28 from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. in the parking lot of the Jacob Building in Chilhowee Park.
This year, while kids’ attendance is encouraged, it isn’t required; however, vehicles without children will be limited to four supply bags each.
Cars should enter Chilhowee Park on Knoxville Zoo Drive and follow a one-way traffic flow to exit on Magnolia Avenue.
Gates will open at 2:00 p.m., but distribution will not start before 3:00 p.m. Attendees must remain inside their vehicles the whole time they are on property.
Twenty-five hundred (2,500) bags, each valued at around $45, are available on a first come, first served basis while supplies last.
Knoxville, TN (WOKI / WVLT) Former University of Tennessee head coach Jeremy Pruitt has been hired, but he won’t be returning to the college scene.
Our news partner, WVLT, reports Pruitt is now working as a PE teacher at Planview High School in DeKalb County in Alabama.
Pruitt was hired during a Thursday morning board meeting in a unanimous vote. His wife, Casey, was also hired by Planview High School as their Secondary ELA Intervention Teacher.
They’ll join Pruitt’s father who has been a long-time head football coach at PHS.
Jeremy and Casey Pruitt are expected to start Aug. 1.
Pruitt was fired from UT due to a variety of NCAA violations involving recruitment during his tenure.
Jonesborough, TN (WOKI) A Knoxville woman is arrested in Washington County for flashing inmates housed inside the Washington County Detention Center.
Washington County Sheriff’s Office officials say 28 year-old Elizabeth Laster was charged with Indecent Exposure after deputies discovered her in the parking lot beside her vehicle exposing various body parts in the direction of the detention center. The Sheriff’s office says Laster told deputies that she came to the jail to visit her ex-boyfriend, an inmate at the facility.
Laster was booked into the WCDC without incident. Her bond was set at $1,000.
We now know the number of Knox County students who will be impacted by Tennessee’s new third grade retention law.
Knox County school officials say 32 students will have to repeat third grade this year under the new state law.
Third graders who didn’t score proficient on the English section of the TCAP test were given the option of a retake or summer school.
Knox County students head back to class on August 8th .
An investigation is underway following an early morning fatal multi-vehicle crash on Clinton Highway in Anderson County which closed the road for hours.
Tennessee Highway Patrol confirming a motorcyclist died in the crash which happened at Old Clinton Highway.
The road has partially re-opened as of noon (7/27)
Knox County, TN (WOKI) Drivers who use Maryville Pike will need to find an alternate route for a few days as a portion of the road will be closed for overpass repairs.
The Tennessee Department of Transportation sharing that information Wednesday, July 26 saying the highway will be closed to thru traffic between Alberta Drive and Berry Road.
The closure will be in effect daily on Thursday, July 27 and Monday, July 31 through Thursday, August 3 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
TDOT advises drivers to remain alert for changed conditions, seek alternate routes and use extreme caution through the area.
