seymour man suspected hit & run driver flees from police died in crash

Seymour Man Suspected Hit & Run Driver Flees From Police Died In Crash

A suspect in a Jefferson County hit and run crash refused to stop for police, then was killed in an accident on Interstate 81, according to Tennessee Department of Safety spokesperson Laura McPherson.

The accident happened around 3:30 p.m. on I-81 northbound near the 16 milemarker. That's close to the Hamblen-Greene County line.

McPherson says the driver refused to stop after troopers tried to pull him over on I-81. At some point, the vehicle drove off the interstate and crashed into a guardrail and some trees. The driver was ejected and killed instantly.

McPherson couldn't say whether or not troopers were in an active pursuit of the vehicle at the time of the collision. A source close to the investigation tells Volunteer TV News speed is a factor in the crash.

McPherson says THP investigators are on the scene. The interstate remains open in the area.

No word on the identity of the man who died, but a source tells Volunteer TV News he is from Seymour.

We do have a crew on the scene at this hour.