Police officer, 81-year-old man

By Vinay Bhagat vinay@theheraldnewspapers.com Jess Huskey, an 81 year-old resident of Sevierville pulled out of the Atchley Funeral Home on East Main St. in Sevierville at 9:12 a.m. yesterday morning, and was immediately struck head-on by Sevierville police officer Stacey Cutshaw. Huskey sustained serious injuries and was rushed to Baptist Hospital in an ambulance, while Cutshaw didn’t suffer any significant injuries according to reports. As for the vehicles, Huskey’s 2003 Toyota sedan suffered a blunt impact and was significantly damaged, while officer Cutshaw’s squad car was immediately whisked away from the scene of the crime. After the accident occurred, the Sevierville County Sheriff’s Department arrived at the scene of the accident, because, as stated by Lieutenant Mike Rose of the City of Sevierville Police Department, “when an accident occurs involving the city police, we don’t investigate our own crimes.” According to several eyewitnesses, Huskey abruptly pulled out into oncoming traffic on Main St. and was immediately struck by Officer Cutshaw, who apparently didn’t have time to avert Huskey’s vehicle. However, the formal investigation concerning the incident is still underway, and as a result, the accident report concerning the incident will not be released to the media until tomorrow. As of yesterday evening, Mr. Huskey was still in the Baptist Hospital Emergency room, being treated for his injuries.