NASHVILLE — Four vehicles in the July 25 crash of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ motorcade in Chattanooga were rented in Georgia and not “government vehicles” as initially described in a Chattanooga Police Department news release.
A police report shows the sport utility vans were rented in College Park, Georgia, near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The report lists the owner as PV Holdings. The holding company owns Avis and Budget vehicle rental firms, among other rental companies.
A fifth vehicle, a Tennessee Highway Patrol vehicle, was in the lead, escorting DeSantis and his entourage to a Chattanooga fundraiser.
Chattanooga was one of three Tennessee fundraising stops DeSantis made that day on his bid for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination along with stops in Knoxville and Franklin.
The THP vehicle was not involved in the crash, which occurred when the motorcade abruptly came up on slow traffic near the 2.8-mile marker on Interstate 75.