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GENERAL NARRATIVE |
On April 29, 2015, just prior to midnight, Kingsport Police Patrol Officers responded to westbound Interstate 26 at mile marker 4.4 (Wilcox Drive exit) in reference to a crash with injuries. Due to the severity of the injuries, the K.P.D. Traffic Squad was called to the scene. Their resultant investigation revealed the following:
A 2015 Chrysler 200, being driven by Winston Taylor Schuler, was westbound on Interstate 26 approaching the Wilcox Drive Exit. According to multiple witness statements and corroborating crash investigation, the Chrysler was traveling at an extremely high rate of speed. Mr. Schuler lost control of the vehicle allowing it to leave the left side of the roadway and enter the median. The vehicle traveled along the cable barrier for approximately 200 feet until striking a guard rail. Upon impact with the guard rail, the engine and most of the front portion of the vehicle separated from the remainder of the vehicle. The remainder of the vehicle, which included the passenger compartment, flipped and came to a rest upside down in the middle of the westbound traffic lanes. Moments after this initial crash, a westbound 1998 Toyota 4Runner, driven by Blake A. Erickson, approached the scene. There were no street lights, and the lighting on the Chrysler had been completely disabled during the crash. Due to the dark conditions, Mr. Erickson did not see the Chrysler in the roadway, and his vehicle struck the Chrysler. A passenger in the Chrysler, Brandon M. Cobb, was not properly restrained and was ejected through the rear window of the vehicle. Investigators are still working to determine whether he was ejected during the initial or secondary crash. All three motorists sustained serious injuries and were transported to Holston Valley Medical Center by Sullivan County E.M.S. for treatment. Westbound I-26 was completely closed for approximately three hours but has since been reopened for traffic. The crash remains under investigation by the K.P.D. Traffic Unit with charges pending. Excessive speed, combined with alcohol and drug use, are believed to be contributing factors in the initial crash. Anyone who witnessed the actual crash, or saw the Chrysler being driven leading up to the crash, who has not yet spoken to law enforcement is asked to contact investigators at 423-224-2750. |
COLLISION VEHICLE #1 INFORMATION | ||
Make | Chrysler | |
Model | 200 | |
Year | 2015 | |
Type | 4-door Sedan | |
Color | Black | |
Damage | Disabling Damage | |
Driver | Name | Winston Taylor Schuler |
Age | 20 Years of Age | |
Gender/Race | Male/White | |
Residency | Lynchburg, Virginia | |
Injuries | Serious Injuries | |
Passenger | Name | Brandon M. Cobb |
Age | 20 Years of Age | |
Gender/Race | Male/White | |
Residency | Johnson City, TN | |
Injuries | Serious Injuries |
COLLISION VEHICLE #2 INFORMATION | ||
Make | Toyota | |
Model | 4Runner | |
Year | 1998 | |
Type | Sport Utility Vehicle | |
Color | Silver | |
Damage | Disabling Damage | |
Driver | Name | Blake A. Erickson |
Age | 26 Years of Age | |
Gender/Race | Male/White | |
Residency | Kingsport, TN | |
Injuries | Serious Injuries |
RELEASING OFFICER | ||
Thomas M. Patton, Public Information Officer
Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit |
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KINGSPORT – On April 27, 2015 the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation released the 2014 Crimes in Tennessee Report.‚ This annual report highlights crimes, arrests, and clearance rates of individual jurisdictions as well as the State of Tennessee as a whole.
When comparing the 2014 data to that of the previous year, the Kingsport Police Department saw a slight overall decrease (less than 1%) in the more serious crimes known collectively as Group A Offenses.‚ The City of Kingsport also saw a decrease in the overall crime rate of just over 3% when comparing 2014 to 2013.‚ The T.B.I. calculates crime rates as the number of Group A crimes per 100,000 residents
One category in which the Kingsport Police Department has continued to show significant improvement is in solving crimes once they are reported.‚ K.P.D.s 2014 overall clearance rate was 47.45% which is an almost 6% improvement over last years clearance rate of 41.49%.‚ K.P.D.s 2014 overall clearance rate also tops the statewide clearance rate of 39.22% by over 8%.
To view the 2014 Crimes in Tennessee Report, please visit the following link:
http://www.tbi.state.tn.us/tn_crime_stats/publications/2014%20Crime%20in%20TN%20-%20secured.pdf
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The Kingsport Area Safety Council presents the 30th Annual Safety Seminar May 13, 2015 at the Eastman Toy F. Reid Employee Center, Kingsport, Tennessee.
The Kingsport Area Safety Council (KASC) ‚ is celebrating its 30th Annual Safety Seminar at the Eastmans Toy F. Reid Employee Center on Wednesday, May 13th, 2015 (To view the brochure, please click here.). KASC a local non-profit organization, is also celebrating its 70th anniversary during 2015. KASC was established in 1944 to promote safety in our community, and that mission still exists.
Some of the 30th Annual Safety Seminar classes include:
- How Do YOU Rank As A Driver?
- So, You Think It Wont Happen To You?
- The Shocking Truth About Electricity
- Be Prepared for Severe Weather Emergencies
- Protecting Your Identity: What You Should Know & What You Should Do
- Protecting What You Value Most: Fire Safety In The Home
Plus many more! Safety Professionals from the Tri-Cities and beyond will be presenting in over 50 classroom sessions and indoor and outdoor demonstrations and exhibits throughout the day.
KASC has members from Holston Army Ammunition Plant/BAE Systems, Inc, Eastman, Wellmont, ETSU, KFD, KPD, City of Kingsport, Domtar, TOSHA and many other local businesses that work to make this effort successful. Thanks for your consideration.
For additional information, contact:
KINGSPORT – On April 9, 2015 at 6:30 PM, the Kingsport Police Department Patrol Divisions First Platoon reported for roll call just like any other night, only on that particular night, one officer was missing.‚ Officer Jamal Phelps had failed to report to work.‚ Finding this extremely out of character for Jamal, his supervisors and fellow officers tried several times to call him with no response.‚ They soon went to his apartment where they found him on the floor, completely incapacitated by a massive stroke caused by a blood clot in his brain.‚ Jamal was rushed to Holston Valley Medical Center and then transferred later that evening to the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville.
Jamals stroke has left the entire left side of his body paralyzed.‚ He has already undergone three major medical procedures since arriving at U.T. Medical Center.‚ He is originally from Chicago, Illinois and will soon be transferred to another facility in that area, close to his family, where he will likely require ongoing treatment and extensive rehabilitation for years to come.‚ Life as he knows it will be forever changed, and his current and future medical expenses will be unfathomable.‚ Several individuals have contacted the department asking how they can go about making a monetary donation to help offset some of Jamals medical expenses.‚ Two avenues have now been established for anyone wishing to make donations.
1)‚ ‚ Donations may be made in person to the Jamal Phelps Fund at the First Kingsport Credit Union, located at 408 Clay Street in Kingsport.
2)‚ ‚ Donations may be made electronically to the Jamal Phelps Assistance Fund by visiting the following link: http://www.GoFundMe.com/JamalPhelps.
A t-shirt has been designed to honor Officer Phelps, and those will be available for purchase by the public.‚ The shirts will sell for $20 with all proceeds going to his benefit fund.‚ Anyone who wishes to purchase a shirt needs to bring $20 in cash to the Records window at the Kingsport Justice Center.‚ An order will be placed each Friday as long as there is demand, and the shirts will be available for pick-up on the following Monday.
Jamal is only 34 years old.‚ He was sworn in as a Kingsport Police Officer on March 24, 2014 and reported to the Walters State Regional Law Enforcement Academy in Greeneville, TN shortly thereafter.‚ The photograph of Jamal included in this release was taken at his graduation where he was presented with the Outstanding Achievement Award recognizing his performance as the most outstanding officer in the class.‚ He returned to Kingsport, successfully completed his field training, and has been policing Kingsports streets solo for about six months.
Jamal originally arrived in this area in 2004 after receiving a track scholarship to Milligan College.‚ He graduated from Milligan in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.‚ He is a faithful member of Holy Mountain Baptist Church in Kingsport where he has been extremely active in the childrens ministry.‚ While attending Holy Mountain Baptist Church he met a fellow member who is a veteran Kingsport Police Officer, and the two eventually became good friends.‚ The officer went on to recruit Jamal into a law enforcement career at the Kingsport Police Department.
Chief David Quillin had this to say: Although his career at the Kingsport Police Department was cut short, Jamal took an oath to protect and serve the citizens of Kingsport.‚ I, as well as all of his fellow officers, are keeping him ever present in our thoughts and prayers and will always consider him a part of our family here at K.P.D.‚ The men and women of K.P.D. also owe a huge debt of gratitude to the Knoxville Police Department for treating Jamal like one of their own and arranging for lodging and transportation for his family during his stay at the U.T. Medical Center.