Approximately 3:00 PM

Transported to Holston Valley Medical Center by Sullivan County EMS

Driver Information

Pedestrian Information

General Narrative

On February 18, 2014 at approximately 3:00 PM, Kingsport Police Patrol Officers responded to a motor vehicle collision involving a pedestrian on East Center Street behind Dobyns Bennett High School.

A red 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt was eastbound on East Center Street near the intersection with Watauga Street. A group of students was crossing East Center Street unlawfully when one of the students failed to yield and stepped into the path of the vehicle. The 14 year old white male pedestrian was struck by the Chevrolet resulting in non-life threatening injuries. The pedestrian was subsequently transported to Holston Valley Medical Center by Sullivan County E.M.S. for treatment.

There was absolutely no indication of excessive speed on the part of the vehicle. A properly marked crosswalk, controlled by a highly visible crossing signal, is located just to the east of where the students chose to traverse East Center Street. People often incorrectly assume that a pedestrian always has the right-of-way, but such is not necessarily the case.

This is the second vehicle crash in this vicinity involving a pedestrian in just over a week, with the last incident occurring on February 10, 2014. In the earlier crash, the pedestrian was crossing in the crosswalk; however, at the time of the collision the pedestrian had a visible No Crossing light and the vehicle had a green light and thus the right-of-way.

For additional information, please contact:

Thomas M. Patton, Public Information Officer

K.P.D. Professional Standards Unit

423-229-9433

ThomasMPatton@KingsportTN.gov

K.P.D. Professional Standards Unit