On June 29, 2019 just before 2:00 PM, Kingsport Police Patrol Officers were dispatched to a multi-vehicle collision on southbound Interstate 81 near the 62 mile-marker. Due to the seriousness of the crash, the K.P.D. Traffic Unit, with assistance from the Sullivan County F.I.R.S.T. (Fatal Incident Response and Support Team), responded to the scene to investigate. Their findings thus far are as follows:
A silver 2008 Honda Ridgeline 4-door mid-size pickup, driven and solely occupied by William Henry Carpenter, Jr. of Bristol, VA, was northbound on I-81 when for unknown reasons it veered left, crossed the grass median, and began traveling north in the southbound lanes.
Meanwhile, a green 1995 Ford F-150 full-size pickup, driven and solely occupied by Jeffrey L. Goode of Limestone, TN, was southbound on I-81 when it was struck head-on by the Honda Ridgeline. As a result of the crash, the Ford F-150 caught fire and became fully involved until extinguished by responding Firefighters from the Kingsport Fire Department.
A third vehicle, a black 2009 Ford F-250 full-size pickup, driven and solely occupied by Blake E. Lucas of Bristol, TN, was traveling southbound behind the Ford F-150, and with no time to react, was involved in a secondary collision with the Honda Ridgeline immediately following the initial impact.
Both Mr. Carpenter and Mr. Goode were killed in the crash. Mr. Lucas was not injured. All three vehicles were completely disabled and had to be towed from the scene. Interstate 81 was completely closed for an extended period of time to allow for the thorough investigation of the crash and the safe removal of all involved vehicles and associated debris. The roadway has since reopened, and normal traffic patterns have resumed.
The Kingsport Police Department would like to thank the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office, the Tennessee Highway Patrol, and the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) for their assistance with this investigation and management of any subsequent traffic congestion.
This remains an open and active investigation by the K.P.D. Traffic Unit. As such, additional details neither can nor will be released at this time. |