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KPD e-News Release: Kingsport Police Investigating Fatal Crash on I-81

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Kingsport Police Department

David Quillin, Chief of Police

200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660

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

NEWS RELEASE
SUBJECT: Kingsport Police Investigating Fatal Crash on I-81
DATE: December 29, 2018
CASE #: 18-034384
GENERAL NARRATIVE
On December 29, 2018 at approximately 6:30 PM, Kingsport Police Patrol Officers responded to a motor vehicle collision on Interstate 81 near exit 59 (Colonial Heights/Fort Henry Drive) in Kingsport. Due to the seriousness of injuries sustained in the collision, Crash Reconstructionists from the K.P.D. Traffic Unit were called to the scene. Their subsequent investigation revealed the following:

A 2015 Hyundai Elantra, driven and solely occupied by Sherry D. Gregg, was northbound on Interstate 81, when for unknown reasons, the vehicle swerved off of the left side of the roadway and entered the median. The vehicle struck the cable barrier and reentered the roadway, coming to rest sideways in the northbound traffic lanes.

Meanwhile, a 2019 Honda Odyssey, driven by Peter Alexander Pham and occupied by four additional passengers, was also northbound on Interstate 81, and traveling behind the Hyundai. Mr. Pham was unable to see the disabled vehicle ahead of him in sufficient time to stop his own vehicle and struck the Hyundai in the driver’s side.

Ms. Gregg was killed in the crash. Mr. Pham and one of his passengers were transported by Sullivan County EMS to an area medical facility for precautionary evaluation of possible (non-life threatening) injuries. The other three passengers in the Honda appeared uninjured.

This crash remains under active investigation by the K.P.D. Traffic Unit. As such, no additional details are available for release at this time.
COLLISION VEHICLE #1 INFORMATION
Make Hyundai
Model Elantra
Year 2015
Type Compact 4-Door Sedan
Color Maroon
Damage Disabling Damage
Driver Name Sherry D. Gregg
Age 53 Years of Age
Gender/Race Female/White
Residency Elizabethton, TN
Injuries Fatal
COLLISION VEHICLE #2 INFORMATION
Make Honda
Model Odyssey
Year 2019
Type Minivan
Color Blue
Damage Disabling Damage
Driver Name Peter Alexander Pham
Age 55 Years of Age
Gender/Race Male/Asian
Residency Glen Allen, VA
Injuries Possible Injury
Passenger Name Ashley Pham
Age 20 Years of Age
Gender/Race Female/Asian
Residency Glen Allen, VA
Injuries Possible Injury
Passenger Name Not Released Due to Minor Age
Age 12 Years of Age
Gender/Race Male/Asian
Residency Glen Allen, VA
Injuries No Injury
Passenger Name Not Released Due to Minor Age
Age 17 Years of Age
Gender/Race Male/Asian
Residency Glen Allen, VA
Injuries No Injury
Passenger Name Pauline Kim Thoa Nguyen
Age 56 Years of Age
Gender/Race Female/Asian
Residency Glen Allen, VA
Injuries No Injury
RELEASING OFFICER
Thomas M. Patton, Public Information Officer

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

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

ThomasMPatton

Let’s Glow Swimming

The Kingsport Aquatic Center invites you to kick off the New Year in a vibrant way at the Let’s Glow Swimming Party on Saturday, January 5.

All children ages 9 to 15 are invited for a special night where the KAC will dim the lights in its indoor facilities and fill the pools with glow sticks of all shapes and sizes. From 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., children can swim in the “glow pools” and play on inflatables while their favorite music plays over the loudspeakers. Children are encouraged to bring their own glow sticks to the party. It’s the perfect way to mark the end of winter break!

Preregistration admission costs $5 per swimmer, and admission at the door is $7. Again, only children ages 9 to 15 will be allowed to swim at this event. Supervision will be provided by KAC staff; parents are welcome to drop kids off. Parents will need to sign a code of conduct/waiver form when they preregister or when paying at the door.

For more information or to pre-register, please visit www.swimkingport.com or call the Aquatic Center at (423)343-9758.

Bays Mountain Says Goodbye to Tanasi the Wolf

On December 13, Bays Mountain Park lost a treasured member of its family. One of the wolf pack’s elder members, Tanasi, had to be given humane rest due to the aggressive progression of myelopathy, a debilitating degenerative disease affecting the spinal cord and nervous system. He was 11 years old.

Tanasi arrived at Bays Mountain Park late May 2007 as a pup from Bear Country U.S.A., located in Rapid City, South Dakota. During his time at the Park, thanks to his sweet-natured personality and friendly spirit, Tanasi captured the hearts of staff, volunteers, and visitors alike very early on as a pup and grew to become a well-respected Alpha Male within the pack. Tanasi’s name is derived from the Cherokee meaning Tennessee.

Since the habitat’s first three grey wolves were introduced to Bays Mountain Park in 1992, wolves have been an integral part of the Park’s educational efforts for schools throughout the region. Thousands of students and patrons attend wolf programs each year, and visitors often attend the Park specifically to see them in a natural woodland setting.

Eight wolves complete the current pack following Tanasi’s passing, including Tanasi’s sibling, Netar. In the wild, wolves live an average of six to eight years. In captivity, since 1992, Bays Mountain Park has had two wolves live to be a very senior 13 years old.

If you have any photos or memories of Tanasi, please share them on Facebook and tag Bays Mountain Park & Planetarium or Instagram and tag @baysmountainpark.

For more information on Bays Mountain, visit baysmountain.com or call (423)229-9447.

Tanasi the wolf

Kingsport Aquatic Center Hosts Lifeguard Training Course

Lifeguarding isn’t just for the summer at the Kingsport Aquatic Center’s year-round facility. Join the KAC in learning the ins and outs of water safety this December, which will enable you to apply for its daytime lifeguard openings.

The American Red Cross Lifeguard Training Course provides entry-level lifeguard participants with the knowledge and skills to prevent, recognize, and respond to aquatic emergencies. The course also teaches how to provide care for breathing and cardiac emergencies, injuries, and sudden illness until emergency medical services personnel take over.

This December session is a four-day intensive course, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily December 27 through 30. Upon completion of the course, participants will receive an American Red Cross Certificate for Lifeguarding/First Air/CPR/AED that’s valid for two years.

The course is $200 for non-members and $175 for members, with a $75 registration deposit. Please note that this course begins with a swim test, and failure to pass the test will result in a forfeiture of the $75 deposit, so please be prepared. The last day to register will be the day before the course begins, December 26.

For more information about the swim test and what’s needed to participate in the course, please visit http://bit.ly/KAC_learn and navigate to the American Red Cross Lifeguard Training section. To register, please visit or call the KAC at (423)343-9758.

Any person with a certification, whether earned at the KAC’s December course or not, is welcome to apply for a position as a daytime lifeguard at the KAC. The hours will be 5 a.m. to 11 a.m. Monday through Friday, and the KAC offers competitive pay and plenty of opportunities for growth. Apply online today to become a part of fun, flexible work environment at the KAC.

To learn more about the Kingsport Aquatic Center or apply for the lifeguard position, please visit swimkingsport.com

KPD e-News Release: K.P.D. Increasing Impaired-Driving Enforcement During Christmas and New Year’s Day Holiday Season

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Kingsport Police Department

David Quillin, Chief of Police

200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660

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

NEWS RELEASE
SUBJECT: K.P.D. Increasing Impaired-Driving Enforcement During Christmas and New Year’s Day Holiday Season
DATE: December 17, 2018
GENERAL NARRATIVE
The Kingsport Police Department is partnering with the Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO) to increase impaired-driving enforcement from December 14, 2018 through January 1, 2019, surrounding the Christmas and New Year’s Day holiday season. The THSO’s statewide “Booze It and Lose It” campaign is part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” nationwide mobilization.

The Kingsport Police Department continues to stress that Tennessee D.U.I. laws apply not just to alcohol, but to any substance that impairs the ability to drive, including illegal drugs, over-the-counter (OTC) medications, as well as prescription drugs, even if they are prescribed by a physician.

Increased state and national messaging about the dangers of drunk driving, coupled with increased sobriety checkpoints and high visibility enforcement at the local level, aim to drastically reduce the number of drunk-driving crashes, injuries, and fatalities this year.

“We ask all Tennesseans to please drive safely this holiday season,” said THSO Director Vic Donoho. “Our state and local law enforcement partners will be out in full force to secure Tennessee roadways. We want everyone to make it home safely, so please designate a sober driver.”

Beyond the risk of serious injury or death associated with impaired driving, being convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs can negatively impact an offender’s life in many ways. Consequences could include the loss of employment, prevention of employment in certain jobs, significantly higher insurance rates, serious financial setbacks due to costly fines, court costs, and legal fees, personal and family embarrassment, the installation of an ignition interlock device in the offender’s vehicle, and mandatory jail time.

The THSO provides grant funding to support the Kingsport Police Department’s increased enforcement efforts during the Booze It and Lose It holiday campaign. For more information about the THSO, please visit www.TNTrafficSafety.org. For more information about the NHTSA, please visit www.NHTSA.gov.

RELEASING OFFICER
Thomas M. Patton, Public Information Officer

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

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

ThomasMPatton

KPD e-News Release: Kingsport Police Searching for Runaway Autistic Teenager (Update)

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Kingsport Police Department

David Quillin, Chief of Police

200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660

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

NEWS RELEASE
SUBJECT: Kingsport Police Searching for Runaway Autistic Teenager (Update)
DATE: December 11, 2018
CASE #: 18-033019
GENERAL NARRATIVE
On December 11, 2018 at approximately 5:00 PM, Isaiah Dukes was found safe and sound at the residence of an acquaintance in the same neighborhood where he had last been seen.

As previously released:

The Kingsport Police Department is searching for a runaway autistic teenager, Isaiah Dukes. Isaiah’s mother reported him as a runaway to K.P.D. shortly before midnight on December 10, 2018; however, she stated that he had actually been missing since approximately 1:30 PM that day.

Foul play is not suspected; however, due to his medical diagnosis, K.P.D. is requesting citizen assistance in locating him. He was last seen at the residence of a relative on Dale Street.

Isaiah is a 13 year old black male juvenile with black hair and brown eyes. He stands approximately 5 feet 4 inches in height and weighs roughly 90 pounds. He was last seen wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt, gray sweatpants, and black shoes.

Anyone who sees him, or who may have any information which could potentially be used to locate him, is asked to promptly call Kingsport Central Dispatch at 423-246-9111.

Alternatively, if an individual who is able to supply information related to this or any other case wishes not to be identified, tips can be submitted anonymously via online “Citizen Feedback” forms available at the following link:

https://www.kingsporttn.gov/city-services/police-department/contact-us
RUNAWAY JUVENILE INFORMATION
Name Isaiah Dukes
Age 13 Years of Age
Gender/Race Male/Black
Height/

Weight

 Approximately 5 feet 4 inches

Roughly 90 pounds
Hair/

Eyes

 Black Hair

Brown Eyes
Residency Kingsport, TN
Last Known Clothing Gray Hooded Sweatshirt

Gray Sweatpants

Black Shoes

RELEASING OFFICER
Thomas M. Patton, Public Information Officer

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

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

ThomasMPatton

KPD e-News Release: Kingsport Police Searching for Runaway Autistic Teenager

,

Kingsport Police Department

David Quillin, Chief of Police

200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660

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

NEWS RELEASE
SUBJECT: Kingsport Police Searching for Runaway Autistic Teenager
DATE: December 11, 2018
CASE #: 18-033019
GENERAL NARRATIVE
The Kingsport Police Department is searching for a runaway autistic teenager, Isaiah Dukes. Isaiah’s mother reported him as a runaway to K.P.D. shortly before midnight on December 10, 2018; however, she stated that he had actually been missing since approximately 1:30 PM that day.

Foul play is not suspected; however, due to his medical diagnosis, K.P.D. is requesting citizen assistance in locating him. He was last seen at the residence of a relative on Dale Street.

Isaiah is a 13 year old black male juvenile with black hair and brown eyes. He stands approximately 5 feet 4 inches in height and weighs roughly 90 pounds. He was last seen wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt, gray sweatpants, and black shoes.

Anyone who sees him, or who may have any information which could potentially be used to locate him, is asked to promptly call Kingsport Central Dispatch at 423-246-9111.

Alternatively, if an individual who is able to supply information related to this or any other case wishes not to be identified, tips can be submitted anonymously via online “Citizen Feedback” forms available at the following link:

https://www.kingsporttn.gov/city-services/police-department/contact-us
RUNAWAY JUVENILE INFORMATION
Name Isaiah Dukes
Age 13 Years of Age
Gender/Race Male/Black
Height/

Weight

 Approximately 5 feet 4 inches

Roughly 90 pounds
Hair/

Eyes

 Black Hair

Brown Eyes
Residency Kingsport, TN
Last Known Clothing Gray Hooded Sweatshirt

Gray Sweatpants

Black Shoes

RELEASING OFFICER
Thomas M. Patton, Public Information Officer

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

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

ThomasMPatton

Join us for a celebration of the newest park in Kingsport!

The newest Kingsport park is ready for kids of all ages and abilities to come play! Join us for a special dedication on Thursday, December 13, at 4:00 p.m. with a ribbon cutting, a visit from Santa and free carousel rides.

Carousel Park, located at 350 Clinchfield Street next to the Kingsport Carousel, features unique playground equipment such as a crawl tunnel, tree house structure with slides, bridge and climbing wall, a web crawler and a music area with various instruments, such as congas, chimes and vibraphone.

For more information, please visit www.kingsportparksandrecreation.org.

KPD e-News Release: Suspect Sought in Shoplifting Incident that Escalated to Knife Assault

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Kingsport Police Department

David Quillin, Chief of Police

200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660

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

NEWS RELEASE
SUBJECT: Suspect Sought in Shoplifting Incident that Escalated to Knife Assault
DATE: December 11, 2018
CASE #: 18-032922
GENERAL NARRATIVE
On December 9, 2018 at approximately 10:45 AM, a white male adult suspect attempted to push a shopping cart full of merchandise (nearly $1,000 total value) out of Walmart, located at 2500 West Stone Drive in Kingsport, without paying for it.

When Walmart loss prevention personnel confronted the man, he pulled a large knife from the pile of merchandise, removed it from its packaging, and raised it in a threatening and aggressive manner. The suspect eventually set the knife down, abandoned the shopping cart full of merchandise he was attempting to steal, and left the store.

A photograph of the suspect, taken from store surveillance video footage, has been included in this release. Anyone who recognizes him is asked to contact Detectives in the K.P.D. Criminal Investigations Division at 423-229-9429 or call Kingsport Central Dispatch at 423-246-9111.

Alternatively, if an individual who is able to supply information related to this or any other case wishes not to be identified, tips can be submitted anonymously via online “Citizen Feedback” forms available at the following link:

https://www.kingsporttn.gov/city-services/police-department/contact-us

RELEASING OFFICER
Thomas M. Patton, Public Information Officer

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

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

ThomasMPatton

KPD e-News Release: Pedestrian Killed in Weather Related Interstate 81 Crash

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Kingsport Police Department

David Quillin, Chief of Police

200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660

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

NEWS RELEASE
SUBJECT: Pedestrian Killed in Weather Related Interstate 81 Crash
DATE: December 10, 2018
CASE #: 18-032931
GENERAL NARRATIVE
On December 9, 2018 at approximately 1:30 PM, a tractor trailer had become disabled and was stopped on the shoulder of northbound Interstate 81 just before exit 66 in Kingsport. The driver, later identified as William James Taylor (58 Years of Age of Robertsdale, Alabama), was walking away from, and just to the north of, the disabled tractor trailer.

Other northbound vehicles were moving over to the left for safety as they passed the disabled tractor trailer. One of those vehicles was a black 2017 Dodge Journey, driven by Scott Russell Register (42 Years of Age of Hughesville, Maryland) and occupied by three additional passengers.

As the Dodge Journey merged to the left, it hit a patch of slush and snow in the travel lane, causing Mr. Register to lose control of the vehicle. The Dodge swerved back to the right across both northbound travel lanes and struck Mr. Taylor as he was walking along the shoulder. Mr. Taylor died as a result of the impact.

This motor vehicle collision remains under active investigation by the Kingsport Police Department Traffic Unit. As such, no additional information is available for release at this time.
COLLISION VEHICLE INFORMATION
Make Dodge
Model Journey
Year 2017
Type Mid-Sized Crossover Utility Vehicle
Color Black
Damage Functional Damage
Driver Name Scott Russell Register
Age 42 Years of Age
Gender/Race Male/White
Residency Hughesville, Maryland
Injuries No Injury
Passenger Name Ashley M. Register
Age 28 Years of Age
Gender/Race Female/White
Residency Hughesville, Maryland
Injuries No Injury
Passenger Name Not Released Due to Minor Age
Age 5 Years of Age
Gender/Race Male/White
Residency Hughesville, Maryland
Injuries No Injury
Passenger Name Not Released Due to Minor Age
Age 8 Months of Age
Gender/Race Male/White
Residency Hughesville, Maryland
Injuries No Injury
PEDESTRIAN INFORMATION
Name William James Taylor
Age 58 Years of Age
Gender/Race Male/White
Residency Robertsdale, Alabama
Injuries Fatal
RELEASING OFFICER
Thomas M. Patton, Public Information Officer

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

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

ThomasMPatton
Link to: City of Kingsport
City of Kingsport, Tennessee