200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660

ThomasMPatton • 423-229-9433 (Desk) • 423-224-2786 (FAX)

http://Police.KingsportTN.gov • www.KingsportPDBlog.com

His death makes this the second of three fatal crashes that have occurred on Kingsport’s roadways during the past week. The first fatality occurred on Monday, August 25 when a vehicle plunged into Fort Patrick Henry Lake, and the third fatality occurred on Friday, August 29 when an unrestrained driver was ejected during a crash at the intersection of Eastman Road and East Center Street.

Area residents are urged to take a moment to reflect on this fact prior to the next time they get behind the wheel. Operating a motor vehicle is a serious responsibility and should not be taken lightly. Motorists are encouraged to buckle-up, exercise patience, obey the speed limit and other traffic regulations, utilize good defensive driving strategies, avoid distractions, and abstain from substances that impair the ability to drive.

AS PREVIOUSLY RELEASED: On August 27, 2014 at approximately 1:45 PM, Kingsport Central Dispatch was notified of a major motor vehicle collision in the vicinity of the Kingsport Pavilion/Target Shopping Center, located at 2626 East Stone Drive in Kingsport. Kingsport Police and other area first responders rushed to the scene. A subsequent investigation by the K.P.D. Traffic Unit revealed the following:

A 2007 Kia Sedona minivan, driven by Tracey Y. Noe and occupied by two children, ages 10 and 12, had been traveling west on East Stone Drive and was stopped in the turn lane preparing to turn left into the shopping complex directly across East Stone Drive from the Kingsport Pavilion/Target Shopping Center. For unknown reasons, a westbound 1995 Chevrolet Suburban full-size sport utility vehicle, driven by Catherine S. Arnold, apparently neither slowed nor stopped for the traffic ahead and struck the Kia in the rear.

The Kia was propelled forward diagonally across the intersection into the lanes that turn left from eastbound East Stone Drive into the Kingsport Pavilion/Target Shopping Center, where it side-swiped a 2011 Honda CRV compact sport utility vehicle, driven by Tammy S. Gilbert with passenger, Ricky C. Gilbert. The Kia careened off the Honda and came to rest after colliding head-on with a 2008 Lexus RX350 compact sport utility vehicle, driven by Peggy H. Rasnake.

Ms. Arnold, the driver of the Suburban, received non-life threatening injuries and was transported to Holston Valley Medical Center by Sullivan County E.M.S.

All three occupants of the Kia, received significant injuries and were transported to Holston Valley Medical Center by Sullivan County E.M.S. Ms. Noe and the 10 year old child received serious injuries and are currently both listed in stable condition. The 12 year old child received life-threatening injuries and is listed in critical condition. Both children have since been air-lifted to another medical facility.

All three occupants of the other two vehicles received possible injuries, but did not require medical treatment at this time. All occupants of all four vehicles involved in the crash appear to have been properly restrained by their seatbelts.

Several lanes of East Stone Drive were closed for approximately four hours but normal traffic flow resumed at approximately 5:45 PM.

The investigation into this crash is ongoing by the K.P.D. Traffic Unit with possible charges pending. Investigators are asking for anyone who witnessed the crash who has not yet been interviewed to please contact them at 423-224-2750.

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660

ThomasMPatton@KingsportTN.gov • 423-229-9433 (Desk) • 423-224-2786 (FAX)

http://Police.KingsportTN.gov • www.KingsportPDBlog.com

On August 29, 2014 at approximately 9:30 PM, a Kingsport Police Officer patrolling in the Highland Community heard the impact from a serious motor vehicle collision at the nearby intersection of Eastman Road and East Center Street. He immediately responded and arrived on scene just seconds after it occurred. Additional officers from the K.P.D. Patrol Division and Traffic Unit responded to the scene. An investigation into the crash revealed the following:

A 2003 Volkswagen Beetle, driven by Brittany L. Pearce, was northbound on Eastman Road approaching East Center Street preparing to go straight through the intersection. Meanwhile, a 1986 Chevrolet Pickup, driven by Donald W. Porter, was southbound on Eastman Road and made a left turn toward eastbound East Center Street directly into the path of the Volkswagen.

The two vehicles collided in an angular impact. Mr. Porter was not wearing his seatbelt and was instantaneously ejected from the pickup. The pickup itself was deflected into the parking lot located at the northeast corner of the intersection, where it came to rest.

The Volkswagen was redirected toward eastbound East Center Street and free-rolled approximately 50 yards down the roadway before coming to rest against a chain-link fence adjacent to the roadway.

Witnesses report that both vehicles had a green light as they approached the intersection, and that the lights had changed from green to yellow just prior to the crash.

Both drivers sustained injuries and were transported to Holston Valley Medical Center by Sullivan County E.M.S. Ms. Pearce’s injuries were non-life threatening; however, Mr. Porter’s injuries were life threatening, and he was initially listed in critical condition. On August 30, 2014 at approximately 6:00 AM, Mr. Porter died as a result his injuries.

The investigation into this crash by the K.P.D. Traffic Unit is ongoing.

Seatbelts would very likely have had a significant bearing in the outcome of this crash. The Kingsport Police Department continues to stress the importance of the wearing of seatbelts. Not only is it the law, but it might just save a life.

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660

ThomasMPatton@KingsportTN.gov • 423-229-9433 (Desk) • 423-224-2786 (FAX)

http://Police.KingsportTN.gov • www.KingsportPDBlog.com

A 2003 Volkswagen Beetle, driven by Brittany L. Pearce, was northbound on Eastman Road approaching East Center Street preparing to go straight through the intersection. Meanwhile, a 1986 Chevrolet pickup was southbound on Eastman Road and made a left turn toward eastbound East Center Street directly into the path of the Volkswagen.

The two vehicles collided in an angular impact. The driver of the pickup was not wearing his seatbelt and was instantaneously ejected from the pickup. The pickup itself was deflected into the parking lot located at the northeast corner of the intersection, where it came to rest.

The Volkswagen was redirected toward eastbound East Center Street and free-rolled approximately 50 yards down the roadway before coming to rest against a chain-link fence adjacent to the roadway.

Witnesses report that both vehicles had a green light as they approached the intersection, and that the lights had changed from green to yellow just prior to the crash.

Both drivers sustained injuries and were transported to Holston Valley Medical Center by Sullivan County E.M.S. Ms. Pearce’s injuries were non-life threatening; however, the pickup driver’s injuries were life threatening, and he is listed in critical condition. Due to the seriousness of his injuries, his name is temporarily being withheld pending notification of his family.

The investigation into this crash by the K.P.D. Traffic Unit is ongoing.

Seatbelts would very likely have had a significant bearing in the outcome of this crash. The Kingsport Police Department continues to stress the importance of the wearing of seatbelts. Not only is it the law, but it might just save a life.

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660

ThomasMPatton@KingsportTN.gov • 423-229-9433 (Desk) • 423-224-2786 (FAX)

http://Police.KingsportTN.gov • www.KingsportPDBlog.com

Mr. Tate’s arrest stems from an extensive investigation into his intimate involvement with a female teenager who was 16 years of age at the time the relationship originated. K.P.D. Detectives learned that Mr. Tate had a series of no less than thirteen (13) sexual encounters with the teenager over a period of approximately six months, between September of 2013 and February of 2014.

At the time of these incidents, Mr. Tate was serving in the Sullivan County School System in the capacity of an Assistant Band Director, placing him in a position of authority over his teenage victim.

Due to the sensitive nature of this case and the age of the victim, no additional information will be released at this time.

23 Years of Age

Johnson City, TN

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit