Driver of pickup truck that killed one, injured nine charged with homicide

The driver of the Dodge Ram pickup truck that backed through the parking lot at Midtown Community Center after July 4 fireworks, killing one and injuring nine, has been charged with homicide, aggravated assault, and reckless endangerment, authorities said.

Lee Cromwell, 65, was arrested at 11:40 a.m. Wednesday at the Oak Ridge Police Department without incident by patrol officers, authorities said.

Cromwell’s truck allegedly hit James Robinson, 37, of Knoxville, killing him, the ORPD said after the crash.

Cromwell has been charged with one count of vehicular homicide, one count of criminally negligent homicide, one count of reckless homicide, 12 counts of aggravated assault, one count of reckless endangerment, and one count of driving with a license that is suspended or revoked, Oak Ridge Police Chief Jim Akagi said.

Robinson was critically injured in the July 4 crash, and he was taken by ambulance to Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge, where he later died, the ORPD said in a press release this month.

A family friend said Robinson, who was with his wife and two daughters, died a hero by pushing his oldest daughter Jaide out of the way of the way of the approaching vehicle.

Seven more patients were taken by ambulance from the scene to local area hospitals. One adult and two juvenile patients with non-life threatening injuries were transported to the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville. Four juvenile patients with non-life threatening injuries were taken to East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, which is also in Knoxville. And two adults who were also injured were transported to Methodist Medical Center in personal vehicles.

Cromwell was not injured.

Besides killing one and injuring nine, Cromwell’s truck also hit eight vehicles.

Police said several people were struck by Cromwell’s truck and others were hit by vehicles forcefully moved during the crash.

The crash was reported at about 10:23 p.m. Saturday, July 4. The Oak Ridge Police Department received multiple 911 calls reporting that a vehicle had struck several vehicles and people in the parking lot at the Midtown Community Center, which is at 102 Robertsville Road. The Community Center, which is next to Oak Ridge Turnpike, was filled with spectators who had just watched the July 4 fireworks display across the street at Alvin K. Bissell Park.

More information will be added as it becomes available.

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