Sunday, July 5, 2015

1 dead, 8 injured in Oak Ridge, TN parking lot when a pickup truck accelerated in reverse and collided with several cars


One man is dead following an unusual crash that happened after the Oak Ridge fireworks Saturday night.

It happened in the parking lot of the Oak Ridge Convention and Visitors Bureau, located at 102 Robertsville Road, near the Oak Ridge Turnpike.

People had parked there for the nearby fireworks and were returning to their vehicles, following the show.

Police say that's when a red Dodge Ram pickup truck, parked at the far end of the parking lot, sharply accelerated in reverse, striking several vehicles and injuring at least eight people as it went.

The driver of the pickup truck, who police identify only has a local man, did not appear seriously injured as officers questioned him on the scene late Saturday night.

Only one of the injuries in this incident appeared to have been life-threatening, and Oak Ridge police chief James Akagi said that man died.

Police are notifying the victim's family members before releasing his name.
It is not immediately clear what lead to this situation, police say. 

Officers worked well into early Sunday morning recreating and studying the scene.

The Oak Ridge Police Department was assisted by the Oak Ridge Fire Department, Anderson County Sheriff's Office and Tennessee Highway Patrol.