CHARLESTON, Tenn. – The Bradley County Sheriff’s Office did not respond Tuesday to questions about a single-vehicle accident on Monday that involved deputy Michael Lee, who is Sheriff Eric Watson’s brother-in-law.
The accident took place in the vicinity of the one-lane bridge on Old Lower River Road near Olin Chlor Alkali in Charleston, according to a call made to Bradley County 911 at 10:41 a.m. Monday. Lee rolled his patrol vehicle, according to dispatcher notes that cite statements by another deputy who had spoken with Lee by phone a couple of minutes after the accident was reported.
While the exact site of the accident has not been confirmed, the eastern approach to the bridge is defined by a sharp curve and a 25 mph speed limit.
Watson did not respond to requests for comment. Department spokesman Ed Ramsey did not respond to an email request for an incident report concerning the accident.
Bradley County Emergency Medical Service and Bradley County Fire & Rescue units were called to the scene, and Lee was taken to an unidentified hospital emergency room and given a drug test, according to 911 records.
“Any county employee in any department when involved in a motor vehicle accident must go for a mandatory drug test,” said Joe Wilson, director of Bradley County 911.
Bradley County EMS spokesman Stan Clark referred all questions to the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office.
“When an accident involves another agency, we let that agency address the situation,” he said.
EMS would not provide an incident report on the accident without a subpoena, Clark said, citing patient privacy laws.
Fire Chief Troy Maney also referred all requests for comment to the sheriff’s office. He said the request for fire department services was rescinded shortly after it was received.
The 911 report does not record the presence of any Tennessee Highway Patrol personnel at the scene of the accident.
“It is not required protocol for a local law enforcement agency to request assistance from the Tennessee Highway Patrol in a case of an officer-involved accident,” THP spokesman Lt. Bill Miller said.
Lee received his Peace Officer Standards and Training certification on Sept. 25, according to the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page.
Paul Leach is based in Cleveland. Email him at paul.leach.press@gmail.com.