Three people died and one person is in critical condition after two separate crashes just minutes apart in Chattanooga on Thursday night.
The first crash took place in the 500 block of East 23rd Street just after 8:45 p.m., killing 65-year-old Walter Berry.
Berry was driving a GMC Safari van in the slow lane when he tried to pass a semi-trailer truck before the two lanes merged. But Berry was unable to make the pass and slammed on his brakes. He lost control of his vehicle and struck the semi, which caused Berry's vehicle to spin out in the roadway and hit a concrete barrier on the bridge.
The driver of the semi told police he saw headlights beside him and then noticed the GMC Safari losing control in the roadway.
Berry was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.
As investigators were still on scene at East 23rd Street, another crash took place at 9:12 p.m. about a mile-and-a-half away at the intersection of East Main Street and South Holtzclaw Avenue.
Two people died in that crash and one was listed in critical condition, while the driver and two passengers in the other vehicle fled the scene.
What led to the crash is still unclear, but what traffic investigators have said is that a Dodge Ram truck was traveling east on East Main Street and a Chrysler Town & Country van was traveling south on South Holtzclaw Avenue. The vehicles collided in the intersection, causing the Chrysler to roll over and hit a utility pole.
Mechele Lane, 38, was riding in the back of the Chrysler and died at the scene. Lorenzo Jarret Jr., 41, who was in the front passenger seat, was taken to a local hospital but died shortly after, and 60-year-old Melvin Tibbs, who was driving, was listed in critical condition.
Three of the four occupants of the Dodge Ram fled the scene, police said.
The lone passenger who didn't flee the Dodge Ram, a 21-year-old woman, was taken to a local hospital, treated for minor injuries and released.
"We have experienced the loss of three lives in the first three days of 2019 due to motor vehicle crashes," Lt. Austin Garrett said in a statement.
He reminded the public to exercise due care when operating a vehicle.
"Remember to slow down, ensure your lights are on when raining, follow other vehicles at a safe distance, and use your signals for lane changes," Garrett said. "Drivers, ensure that you and all occupants wear seat belts. Be courteous to other drivers, and let's work together to reduce the loss of life and crashes in our community."
The investigations into both crashes are ongoing.
Police ask anyone with information about either crash to call police at 423-698-2525. Callers can remain anonymous.
Contact staff writer Rosana Hughes at rhughes@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6327 with tips or story ideas. Follow her on Twitter @HughesRosana.