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East Ridge police responded Tuesday evening to reports of a tractor-trailer wedged inside the tunnel on Ringgold Road, according to spokesman Officer Erik Hopkins.
Officers arrived on the scene and closed Ringgold Road at South Seminole Drive to assist in the removal of the truck. About 20 minutes after officers had closed the road, a gray Chevrolet Monte Carlo driven by James Edsell, of East Ridge, drove around officers and entered the tunnel, Hopkins said.
Officer Kris Kimsey jumped into his patrol vehicle and attempted to catch up to the Monte Carlo to stop him from possibly hitting the truck or emergency workers inside, Hopkins said
As Kimsey negotiated a blind curve at the entrance of the tunnel he found Edsell's car stopped in the roadway, Hopkins said. Kimsey attempted to avoid a crash but was unable to do so, Hopkins said.
Edsell was transported to Erlanger hospital by Lifeguard EMS with serious injuries not believed to be life-threatening. Kimsey was taken to Parkridge East Hospital where he was treated and released.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol responded to the scene to investigate the crash as is departmental policy when an officer is involved in a motor vehicle crash.