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Kingsport Police Department
200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660 ThomasMPatton • 423-229-9433 (Desk) • 423-224-2786 (FAX) |
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| NEWS RELEASE | |||
| SUBJECT: | Kingsport Police Investigating Fleeing Shoplifter Struck by Pickup | ||
| DATE: | November 4, 2015 | ||
| CASE #: | 15-024065 (Motor Vehicle Collision)
15-024067 (Shoplifting) |
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| GENERAL NARRATIVE | |||
| On November 4, 2015 at approximately 7:00 PM, Kingsport Police responded to West Stone Drive, just east of Deneen Lane, in Kingsport in reference to a motor vehicle collision between a pickup truck and a pedestrian. The subsequent investigation revealed the following:
Just prior to the crash, Brandon W. Steele, a pedestrian, had shoplifted a vacuum cleaner, with a value of $159, from Wal-Mart, located at 2500 West Stone Drive. He fled the store and ran completely across West Stone Drive. He then turned around and attempted to again cross West Stone Drive, back toward Wal-Mart, where the vehicle in which he had arrived awaited. A 2004 Ford F-150 full-size pickup truck, driven by Ralph A. Smith, was eastbound on West Stone Drive in the left lane and had just driven through the intersection with Deneen Lane on a green light. Mr. Steele failed to yield to moving traffic and was struck when he ran into the path of the pickup. Neither Mr. Smith nor his passenger were injured in the crash; however, Mr. Steele sustained life-threatening injuries and was transported to Holston Valley Medical Center by Sullivan County E.M.S. for emergency treatment. The crash remains under investigation by the K.P.D. Traffic Unit. The initial shoplifting incident remains under investigation as well. |
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| SUSPECT/PEDESTRIAN INFORMATION | |
| Name | Brandon W. Steele |
| Age | Date of Birth 8/12/1985
30 Years of Age |
| Gender/Race | Male/White |
| Residency | 3089 Lowrance Drive
Kingsport, TN |
| Injuries | Life-Threatening |
| Charge(s) | Pending |
| COLLISION VEHICLE INFORMATION | ||
| Make | Ford | |
| Model | F-150 | |
| Year | 2004 | |
| Type | Full-size Pickup | |
| Color | Gray | |
| Damage | Functional Damage | |
| Driver | Name | Ralph A. Smith |
| Age | 47 Years of Age | |
| Gender/Race | Male/White | |
| Residency | Rogersville, TN | |
| Injuries | No Injury | |
| Passenger | Name | Raymond P. Helton |
| Age | 65 Years of Age | |
| Gender/Race | Male/Black | |
| Residency | Rogersville, TN | |
| Injuries | No Injury | |
| RELEASING OFFICER | ||
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Thomas M. Patton, Public Information Officer
Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit |
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