Chattanooga police identified the drivers involved in Monday night’s accident involving two 18-wheelers on Interstate 75 near the Ooltewah exit.
Ronnie Darden, 37, of DeKalb County, Ga., was killed when his tractor-trailer rear ended another 18-wheeler driven by Allen R. Saxton, 46, of Albion, Pa., Chattanooga Police Department spokeswoman Lt. Kim Noorbergen said in a news release.
Mr. Saxton’s truck was stopped on the interstate due to late-night construction. He was treated at Erlanger hospital and released.
Police also identified the women involved in a 5 p.m. accident at 2800 Rossville Blvd. that resulted in one woman being ejected from her vehicle.
A Mazda MX3 driven by Pamela Green, 23, was traveling at a high rate of speed when she lost control of her vehicle and struck a Jeep Cherokee, Lt. Noorbergen said.
Regina Ragon, 38, was ejected from the Jeep through a window. Ms. Ragon was taken to Erlanger hospital with a serious head injury and is in stable condition, Lt. Noorbergen said.
Ms. Green was cited for traveling too fast for conditions, police said.
The drivers in an accident Monday evening involving a deputy in the 7400 block of Old Lee Highway also have been identified.
Witnesses said Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department Deputy James E. Spates was traveling east on Bonny Oaks Drive in his police cruiser with blue lights and sirens activated when he failed to yield right of way at the intersection, Lt. Noorbergen said.
Witnesses said a Chevrolet minivan driven by Elvia Carranza was traveling west on Jenkins Road and making a left turn onto Bonny Oaks when the police cruiser hit it. Both vehicles flipped on their tops and the minivan collided with another vehicle, which started a chain reaction of four other vehicles hitting each other.
Mrs. Carranza, her husband and three children were taken to Erlanger with minor injuries, police said, while Deputy Spates was taken to Erlanger with leg and back injuries.
The drivers of the other vehicles were not injured, Lt. Noorbergen said. All parties involved have been treated and released or are expected to be released, she said.
Also, a 17-year-old is in critical condition at Erlanger hospital after he was hit by a car Monday night on Old Dallas Road.
Chattanooga police responded to 700 Old Dallas Road, where Cody Pinson, 22, the driver of a 1992 Buick, was traveling north. Mr. Pinson lost control of his car and slid across the double-yellow lines, through the south lane of traffic and onto a sidewalk, hitting the teen who was riding a bicycle, police said.
The teen was thrown onto the windshield and roof of the car, Lt. Noorbergen said.
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I hope the police officer involved in the Bonnie Oaks crash is not blamed and cited for this wreck. From the information I see, he had the blue lights and siren activated and his way should have been cleared through that intersection.
A TV news segment seemed to dismiss the responsibility of other drivers saying many drivers are distracted by loud music, etc. while driving and thus cannot hear the sirens. Well, that is their responsibility, not the police.
Unless it is proven that he was not following correct procedures, he should be cleared of all responsibility, as should the police department.
People today are too quick to look for an opportunity to sue governmant agencies because they have deep pockets.
Well, I have news for you, those "deep pockets" are the pockets of "we the taxpayers". Government has no money except for what we contribute.
So people, own up to your own responsibilities in cases like this. If, in fact, it was not his fault.