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Passenger dies after THP pursuit

Posted at 3:05 pm February 12, 2022
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

The passenger has died after a two-vehicle crash during a police pursuit in Anderson County on Sunday, January 30.

It’s the second death after the police chase and fatal crash near the intersection of Mountain Road and Highway 441 at about 2 p.m. that Sunday. The driver, Elijah Morley of Dandridge, died after the crash.

On Wednesday, Dave Clark, Seventh Judicial District attorney general, said Morley’s passenger, Dustin Dienst of Morristown, died Tuesday night. He had been hospitalized since the crash.

A Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper, Austin Dean, was also injured in the crash. Clark said earlier that Dean was treated and released from a hospital.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Anderson County, Front Page News, Police and Fire, Tennessee Tagged With: Anderson County, Austin Dean, crash, Dave Clark, Dustin Dienst, Elijah Morley, fatal crash, Tennessee Highway Patrol, THP

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Driver identified in fatal AC crash

Posted at 6:05 pm February 5, 2022
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

The driver who died has been identified after a police pursuit and fatal crash in Anderson County on Sunday.

The identity of the driver and two other people injured in the two-vehicle crash were initially withheld after the crash at Mountain Road and Highway 441 at about 2 p.m. Sunday.

On Saturday, Dave Clark, district attorney general in the Seventh Judicial District in Anderson County, said the medical examiner had completed the identification of the driver who died and notified family members.

The driver has been identified as Elijah Morley of Dandridge and the passenger who was injured in that vehicle was identified as Dustin Dienst of Morristown, Clark said.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper who was injured in the crash was Austin Dean, Clark said.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Anderson County, Front Page News, Police and Fire, Top Stories Tagged With: Anderson County, Austin Dean, crash, Dave Clark, Dustin Dienst, Elijah Morley, fatal crash, Highway 441, mountain road, Tennessee Highway Patrol, THP

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One dies, trooper injured after AC crash

Posted at 11:16 pm February 2, 2022
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

A driver died and a Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper was injured after a crash in Anderson County on Sunday.

The THP was pursuing a vehicle with two people inside at about 2 p.m. Sunday, according to Dave Clark, district attorney general in the Seventh Judicial District in Anderson County.

The pursuit continued along several roads before the vehicle being chased and the THP cruiser left the roadway and crashed near the intersection of Mountain Road and Highway 441, Clark said.

The driver of the vehicle being chased died, and a passenger in that vehicle was injured and was taken to a hospital, Clark said. The trooper was also injured and was treated and released from a hospital, Clark said.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Anderson County, Police and Fire, Tennessee, Top Stories Tagged With: Anderson County, crash, Dave Clark, Highway 441, mountain road, Tennessee Highway Patrol, THP

Barker seeking re-election as sheriff

Posted at 12:46 pm January 26, 2022
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Russell Barker

Russell Barker is seeking a second term as sheriff of Anderson County in this year’s election.

Barker, a Republican, was first elected to a four-year term as sheriff in 2018 after serving as the director of the Seventh
Judicial District Crime Task Force in Anderson County.

In a press release, Barker said he has fulfilled his 2018 campaign promises of increasing the number of school resource officers, dedicating personnel to keep seniors safe, and implementing intelligence-led policing.

“I am very proud of what we have accomplished this first term,” Barker said in the press release. “I attribute the success we’ve had to the brave men and women I serve with every day. Together, we are making a great impact in Anderson County.”

[Read more…]

Filed Under: 2022 Election, Anderson County, Anderson County, Front Page News, Government, Police and Fire, Top Stories Tagged With: Anderson County, election, Russell Barker, sheriff

Ohio woman dies in I-75 crash

Posted at 9:30 am November 27, 2021
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

An Ohio woman died after her vehicle ran off the roadway, went airborne, and crashed into the median on Interstate 75 in Anderson County on Friday morning.

The driver who died was Sherry Driggers, 67, of Hamilton, Ohio, according to a preliminary crash report from the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

The one-vehicle fatal crash occurred at about 9:53 a.m. Friday at mile marker 126 north of the Norris exit.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Anderson County, Front Page News, Police and Fire, Tennessee, Top Stories Tagged With: Anderson County Emergency Medical Services, Anderson County EMS, crash, fatal crash, I-75, Interstate 75, Sherry Driggers, Tennessee Highway Patrol, THP

Man facing seven charges after three-vehicle crash on bridge

Posted at 5:00 pm September 20, 2021
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

A 61-year-old Claxton man is facing seven charges, including vehicular assault and driving under the influence, after a crash involving three vehicles on the Edgemoor Road bridge in July, according to court records.

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A 61-year-old Claxton man is facing seven charges, including vehicular assault and driving under the influence, after a crash involving three vehicles on the Edgemoor Road bridge in July, according to court records.

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Filed Under: Anderson County, Anderson County, Courts, Front Page News, Oak Ridge, Police and Fire, Premium Content Tagged With: Austin Keathley, crash, driving left of center, driving on a suspended license, driving under the influence, Edgemoor Road, Edmond Brand Sr., felony reckless endangerment, financial responsibility, improper passing, Oak Ridge Fire Department, Oak Ridge Police, Ray Faircloth, vehicular assault

Teen allegedly killed mother after she took away phone

Posted at 9:45 pm September 17, 2021
By John Huotari Leave a Comment


Shawn Willis

 

An Anderson County teenager allegedly shot and killed his mother while she was sleeping after she punished him by taking away his cell phone, according to court records.

Shawn Tyler Willis, 18, of Rocky Top, has been charged with first-degree murder.

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Shawn Willis

 

An Anderson County teenager allegedly shot and killed his mother while she was sleeping after she punished him by taking away his cell phone, according to court records.

Shawn Tyler Willis, 18, of Rocky Top, has been charged with first-degree murder.

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Filed Under: Anderson County, Anderson County, Courts, Front Page News, Police and Fire, Premium Content Tagged With: Anderson County Criminal Court, Anderson County Juvenile Court, Anderson County Sheriff's Department, Brian Hunt, Don Scuglia, Emily Faye Abbott, first-degree murder, Sandy K. Willis, Shawn Tyler Willis

ORPD: Two arrested after crashing stolen truck

Posted at 12:02 am July 27, 2021
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Two people were arrested after allegedly crashing a stolen pickup truck in Oak Ridge and trying to run from police Monday afternoon, officers said.

The Oak Ridge Police Department tried to stop the pickup truck on South Illinois Avenue at Tulsa Road at about 1 p.m. Monday, a press release said.

“The driver of the pickup truck began to flee, and officers discontinued the attempted traffic stop,” the press release said.

The pickup truck continued driving at a high rate of speed and crashed into a vehicle at the intersection of South Illinois Avenue at South Rutgers Avenue, the press release said. One tire blew out, and the pickup truck continued driving on the remaining three tires toward Edgemoor Road, the release said.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Anderson County, Front Page News, Oak Ridge, Police and Fire, Top Stories Tagged With: crash, Edgemoor Road, Oak Ridge Police Department, ORPD, South Illinois Avenue, stolen pickup

Blackwell to oversee courthouse security

Posted at 2:03 pm July 22, 2021
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Anderson County Sheriff’s Office Corporal Marty Blackwell, left, is pictured above receiving his new rank with Anderson County General Sessions Court Judge Don Layton. (Submitted photo)

The Anderson County Sheriff’s Department has promoted Marty Blackwell to the rank of corporal, and he will oversee courthouse security, a press release said.

Blackwell has been in law enforcement for 33 years, the press release said. He most recently served as court officer for General Sessions Judge Don A. Layton.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Anderson County, Anderson County, Courts, Front Page News, Police and Fire, Top Stories Tagged With: Anderson County Sheriff's Department, courthouse security, Don Layton, Marty Blackwell

For members: More than 1,300 suspected pills allegedly found during arrest, search

Posted at 4:19 pm June 14, 2021
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Including a March 23 arrest and search and arrests on Tuesday, June 8, 2021, more than 1,300 pills total of suspected controlled substances were found in or near this home on Andover Circle in Oak Ridge, according to lists that officers included in arrest warrants filed in Anderson County General Sessions Court in Oak Ridge. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

More than 1,000 pills of suspected controlled substances, three bags of suspected ketamine, pill presses, and unidentified precursor chemicals were found during a search of a home in northeast Oak Ridge last week, according to Anderson County law enforcement officers. Two people who live at the home, a man and a woman, were arrested after the search.

The search by the Seventh Judicial District Crime Task Force on Tuesday followed an arrest near the home on Andover Circle in March, when a Knox County woman was detained on a sidewalk near the home with more than 100 pills and other suspected drugs, according to Oak Ridge police.

Including the arrest in March and search and arrests last week, more than 1,300 pills total of suspected controlled substances were found in or near the home, according to lists that officers included in arrest warrants filed in Anderson County General Sessions Court in Oak Ridge. The controlled substances included suspected stimulants and hallucinogens, and drugs used to treat anxiety, panic attacks, and pain.

Here is what officers found at the home on Andover Circle on Tuesday, according to Agent Kenneth C. Woods of the Seventh Judicial District Crime Task Force in Anderson County:

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Including a March 23 arrest and search and arrests on Tuesday, June 8, 2021, more than 1,300 pills total of suspected controlled substances were found in or near this home on Andover Circle in Oak Ridge, according to lists that officers included in arrest warrants filed in Anderson County General Sessions Court in Oak Ridge. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

More than 1,000 pills of suspected controlled substances, three bags of suspected ketamine, pill presses, and unidentified precursor chemicals were found during a search of a home in northeast Oak Ridge last week, according to Anderson County law enforcement officers. Two people who live at the home, a man and a woman, were arrested after the search.

The search by the Seventh Judicial District Crime Task Force on Tuesday followed an arrest near the home on Andover Circle in March, when a Knox County woman was detained on a sidewalk near the home with more than 100 pills and other suspected drugs, according to Oak Ridge police.

Including the arrest in March and search and arrests last week, more than 1,300 pills total of suspected controlled substances were found in or near the home, according to lists that officers included in arrest warrants filed in Anderson County General Sessions Court in Oak Ridge. The controlled substances included suspected stimulants and hallucinogens, and drugs used to treat anxiety, panic attacks, and pain.

Here is what officers found at the home on Andover Circle on Tuesday, according to Agent Kenneth C. Woods of the Seventh Judicial District Crime Task Force in Anderson County:

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Filed Under: Anderson County, Anderson County, Courts, Front Page News, Oak Ridge, Police and Fire, Police and Fire, Premium Content, Slider Tagged With: alprazolam, amphetamine, Anderson County Detention Facility, Anderson County General Sessions Court, Ashley Mitchell, clonazepam, codeine, controlled substances, Corey Fritz, criminal conspiracy, Destiny Harris, diazepam, hallucinogens, Joshua Palmer, Katherine Kroeger, Kenneth C. Woods, ketamine, Oak Ridge Police Department, oxycodone, Paul Friend, pills, Seventh Judicial District Crime Task Force, stimulants, Xanax

For members: Man who tried to shoot deputy sentenced to 25 years

Posted at 1:00 pm May 25, 2021
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Charles Mason, 54, pleaded guilty to attempted murder and aggravated assault in Anderson County Criminal Court on Monday, May 24, 2021, for trying to shoot a deputy in April 2019, and he was sentenced to 25 years in prison. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

CLINTON—An Anderson County man who pleaded guilty to attempted murder for trying to shoot a deputy northeast of Oak Ridge in April 2019 was sentenced to 25 years in prison on Monday.

Charles Edward Mason, 54, pleaded guilty to one felony count of attempted first-degree murder and five felony counts of aggravated assault with a weapon. He also pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor counts of interfering with a 911 call and one misdemeanor count of resisting arrest.

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Charles Mason, 54, pleaded guilty to attempted murder and aggravated assault in Anderson County Criminal Court on Monday, May 24, 2021, for trying to shoot a deputy in April 2019, and he was sentenced to 25 years in prison. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

CLINTON—An Anderson County man who pleaded guilty to attempted murder for trying to shoot a deputy northeast of Oak Ridge in April 2019 was sentenced to 25 years in prison on Monday.

Charles Edward Mason, 54, pleaded guilty to one felony count of attempted first-degree murder and five felony counts of aggravated assault with a weapon. He also pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor counts of interfering with a 911 call and one misdemeanor count of resisting arrest.

The rest of this story, which you will find only on Oak Ridge Today, is available if you are a member: a subscriber, advertiser, or contributor to Oak Ridge Today.

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Filed Under: Anderson County, Anderson County, Courts, Courts, Front Page News, Police and Fire, Premium Content, Slider Tagged With: aggravated assault, Anderson County Criminal Court, Anderson County grand jury, Anderson County Sheriff's Department, Ann Coria, attempted first-degree murder, attempted murder, attempted shooting, best interest plea, Charles Edward Mason, Gabriel Collins, Matthew McGhee, Randy Seay, Ryan Spitzer, U.S. District Court

Two die in crashes in Anderson County

Posted at 10:27 am May 25, 2021
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Two people died in crashes in Anderson County this past weekend. One was a student at Hardin Valley Academy, and the other was a 43-year-old Knoxville woman.

The first crash, which killed the HVA senior, was reported in the Claxton area on Friday night. Seventh Judicial District Attorney General Dave Clark said it was a graduation season tragedy involving some young people who had been celebrating in Knox County.

“Whether they were served alcohol at a commercial establishment is being investigated,” Clark said in a social media post on Saturday.

Clark said it appeared that eight people were riding in a pickup truck when it crashed in the Claxton area on New Henderson Road at Henderson Bend Road.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Anderson County, Front Page News, Police and Fire, Tennessee, Top Stories Tagged With: Anderson County, Claxton, Clinton Highway, crash, Dave Clark, fatal crash, Maddie Percell, New Henderson Road, Sarah Thompson, Tennessee Highway Patrol, THP

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