Interstate 26 crashes leave Kingsport, Sullivan first responders injured

KINGSPORT — Three Kingsport firefighters and one Sullivan County EMS worker were injured while providing aid at the scene of a crash on Interstate 26 late Monday evening. Kingsport Fire Chief Jerry DeBerry said in an initial statement Tuesday morning that first responders were struck by a car while loading a patient into an ambulance. All four personnel were transported to Johnson City Medical City for evaluation and treatment. "Last night, just before 10 o'clock, we had crews up on I-26 working actually multiple car accidents that occurred up there while they were on scene working an accident," he said. "A secondary accident occurred just east of the location they were at on I-26 westbound, just before Rock Springs Road. Members of the crews that were there went up to check for injuries at that additional wreck." DeBerry said one Kingsport firefighter and one Sullivan County EMS worker were released from the hospital Monday night, while two firefighters were still hospitalized for their injuries as of 11 a.m. Tuesday. He noted that none of the injuries first responders sustained from the wreck were life-threatening. "There was one patient that was being treated and loaded onto an ambulance at the time of the injury," he said. "So our members were up there working, assisting Sullivan County EMS, and a car that was traveling westbound for some reason did not stop, attempted to avoid the ambulance and struck four members." Sullivan County EMS Chief Kevin Marsh recognized the responders who stayed the scene and kept working in social media statement on Tuesday. "In a matter of seconds, they went from caring for the public to caring for their own," Marsh said. "They treated their injured colleagues, kept the scene safe, and helped get everyone to the hospital. What they saw and experienced that night can stay with a person long after the call is over, and we are keeping them in our thoughts as well." 'Slow down, follow the law' The fire chief called on community members to slow down and move over so first responders can continue to help others in crucial moments. DeBerry said Tennessee Highway Patrol is handling the investigation related to the incident. Jacob Tizzard, a THP public information officer, said in an email Tuesday morning that the scene's investigating trooper has been contacted for a preliminary report, which will be shared with media when it becomes available. "The obvious message is slow down," DeBerry said. "This is happening way too often, and it has been happening for several years. There's too many distracted drivers out there not paying attention to emergency workers, construction workers, tow truck drivers, law enforcement. It affects all of us equally, and people just need to slow down, follow the law." Marsh echoed a similar sentiment as DeBerry in his online remarks, asking people to slow down, move over and stay alert when they see emergency lights. "Don't assume responders can see you or know what your vehicle is going to do," he said. "There may be people working in the roadway, patients being treated, or emergency vehicles moving around the scene. The people behind those lights are there to help someone get home safely. They deserve to get home, too." Kingsport City Manager Chris McCartt said Tuesday that the city's primary concern is the health and wellbeing of injured first responders. "We're incredibly grateful for the quick response and treatment by the medical community and we ask that you keep the Kingsport Fire Department, Sullivan County EMS and their families in your thoughts and prayers," he said. Sullivan County Mayor Zane Vanover said he received a call around 10:30 p.m. Monday from Marsh, alerting him that four first responders had been hit on the interstate. "I just automatically jumped out of bed and went to Johnson City [Medical Center], but thank goodness everybody's okay," he said. "I talked to the guys, I talked to each one of them, talked to the families ... It was very scary in there in their words, but they're all doing better, and they're all going to be okay. So that's the most important thing." DeBerry thanked the community and other neighboring agencies for their outpouring of support since the incident. Hawkins County EMA, Hiltons Volunteer Fire Department, Church Hill Rescue Squad, Surgoinsville Fire Department, Appalachia Fire Department Company 3, Fort Blackmore Volunteer Fire Department and Mount Carmel Fire Department were among those who reshared KFD's social media post related to the incident. "Emergency services is a big family, regardless of who you're associated with," he said. "So when something happens to one of us, it affects all of us. In this incident it affected multiple agencies, so just keep those families and all of our staff in your thoughts and prayers over the next few days and weeks as they continue to heal." TDOT Region 1 spokesperson Mark Nagi said in an email Monday morning that I-26 was "opened and then closed again" after crashes associated with the original incident. TDOT's Rural Service Patrol units were providing queue protection when the secondary crash occurred, according to Nagi. All lanes of the I-26 in that spot were reportedly back open around 2 a.m. Tuesday.