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THP Locates Driver and Tractor Trailer That Hit Patrol Car

case turned over to district attorney

Video of incident
January 17, 2008

Nashville, Tennessee ---Tennessee Highway Patrol investigators have located the driver and the tractor trailer they believe hit a Trooper’s patrol car Saturday night in McMinn County.

Members of THP’s Criminal Investigations Division (CID) used dash-cam video from the patrol car to determine that the tractor trailer belonged to Smithway Motor Express, Inc., a company that was recently acquired by Western Express.  The company fully cooperated with investigators and helped locate the driver and semi in Ohio.

The truck driver has been questioned by CID investigators.  He has a valid Tennessee commercial driver license and told officers that he has been driving tractor trailers for five years.

At this time, no charges have been filed against the driver.  The case has been turned over to District Attorney General Steven Bebb in McMinn County and will be presented to the grand jury.

The incident happened around 11:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 12, 2008.  Trooper Charles Melhorn had just completed a traffic stop on I-75 northbound near mile marker 42 when a semi side-swiped his vehicle and did not stop.  Trooper Melhorn was not injured in the crash.

The Tennessee Department of Safety’s mission is (www.tennessee.gov/safety) to ensure the safety and general welfare of the public.  The department encompasses the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Office of Homeland Security and Driver License Services. General areas of responsibility include law enforcement, safety education, motorist services and terrorism prevention.