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Man charged with vehicular homicide after fatal hit-and-run

Posted at 10:22 pm November 29, 2021
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Dannon Ray Cole, 50, Clinton, has been found, arrested, and charged with aggravated vehicular homicide after he allegedly hit a 39-year-old man, Jordan Pitts, riding a motorized bicycle on Clinch Avenue (Clinton Highway) early Saturday, November 20, and then fled. (Photo courtesy Clinton Police Department)

 

A 50-year-old Clinton man has been found, arrested, and charged with aggravated vehicular homicide after he allegedly hit a 39-year-old man riding a motorized bicycle on Clinch Avenue early Saturday, November 20, and then fled.

No one witnessed the fatal hit-and-run crash between the pickup truck allegedly driven by Dannon Ray Cole, 50, and the motorized bicycle carrying Jordan Pitts, 39, and the Clinton Police Department did not immediately have a suspect vehicle. The 3:30 a.m. crash near Portwood Road, a short drive from downtown Clinton on Clinton Highway, killed Pitts.

The person who called 911 found Pitts in the road, the CPD said. Pitts died later.

But when investigators responded, they found evidence at the crash site that helped them identify the hit-and-run vehicle, according to Anderson County court records. The evidence included vehicle parts: a portion of a front grill and red markings including the letter “G” and half of the letter “M”.

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Dannon Ray Cole, 50, Clinton, has been found, arrested, and charged with aggravated vehicular homicide after he allegedly hit a 39-year-old man, Jordan Pitts, riding a motorized bicycle on Clinch Avenue (Clinton Highway) early Saturday, November 20, and then fled. (Photo courtesy Clinton Police Department)

 

A 50-year-old Clinton man has been found, arrested, and charged with aggravated vehicular homicide after he allegedly hit a 39-year-old man riding a motorized bicycle on Clinch Avenue early Saturday, November 20, and then fled.

No one witnessed the fatal hit-and-run crash between the pickup truck allegedly driven by Dannon Ray Cole, 50, and the motorized bicycle carrying Jordan Pitts, 39, and the Clinton Police Department did not immediately have a suspect vehicle. The 3:30 a.m. crash near Portwood Road, a short drive from downtown Clinton on Clinton Highway, killed Pitts.

The person who called 911 found Pitts in the road, the CPD said. Pitts died later.

But when investigators responded, they found evidence at the crash site that helped them identify the hit-and-run vehicle, according to Anderson County court records. The evidence included vehicle parts: a portion of a front grill and red markings including the letter “G” and half of the letter “M”.

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

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Filed Under: Clinton, Front Page News, Police and Fire, Premium Content, Top Stories, U.S. Tagged With: aggravated vehicular homicide, Clinch Avenue, Clinton Highway, Clinton Police Department, CPD, crash, Dannon Ray Cole, hit-and-run crash, Jordan Pitts, Scott Gregory, U.S. Marshals Service

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Vehicle located in fatal Clinton hit-and-run

Posted at 4:31 pm November 26, 2021
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Dannon Cole

The Clinton Police Department has located the vehicle they believe was involved in the fatal hit-and-run crash on Clinch Avenue in south Clinton early Saturday, November 20.

The CPD announced Tuesday the were searching for the hit-and-run vehicle, which they thought could be a 2000-2006 extended-cab GMC pickup truck with heavy front-end damage.

They said they found the vehicle Wednesday.

The CPD then asked for public help locating Dannon Ray Cole, 50, of Clinton, who is a person of interest.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Clinton, Front Page News, Police and Fire, Top Stories Tagged With: Clinch Avenue, Clinton Police Department, CPD, crash, Dannon Ray Cole, Jordan Pitts

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Clinton police searching for driver in fatal hit-and-run

Posted at 3:43 pm November 21, 2021
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

The Clinton Police Department is searching for the driver of an unknown vehicle that hit and killed a 39-year-old man riding a motorized bicycle on Clinch Avenue early Saturday.

The crash was reported at about 3:30 a.m. Saturday near Portwood Road, the Clinton Police Department said. That intersection is in south Clinton, a short drive from downtown Clinton on Clinch Avenue (Clinton Highway).

The person who called 911 found the victim, Jordan Pitts, in the road, the CPD said. Pitts died later.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Clinton, Front Page News, Police and Fire, Top Stories Tagged With: Clinton Police Department, fatal hit-and-run, hit-and-run, Jordan Pitts, Scott Gregory

CPD: Man charged with attempted murder after shooting

Posted at 9:50 pm May 26, 2021
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Micheal West (Photo via Clinton Police Department)

A Knoxville man has been charged with attempted first-degree murder and other alleged crimes after a shooting that injured another man at a gas station in south Clinton early Monday morning.

Micheal West, 38, has been charged with attempted first-degree murder, aggravated assault, criminal conspiracy, reckless endangerment, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, according to the Clinton Police Department.

The shooting was reported at about 5 a.m. Monday, May 24, in the parking lot of the Git’N Go Market on Clinch Avenue.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Clinton, Police and Fire, Top Stories Tagged With: aggravated assault, attempted first-degree murder, Clinton, Clinton Police Department, shooting

One person injured in Monday shooting in Clinton

Posted at 10:44 am May 25, 2021
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

One person was injured in an early morning shooting in Clinton on Monday, according to the Clinton Police Department.

The shooting was reported just after 5 a.m. Monday at the Git ‘N Go Market on Clinch Avenue in South Clinton.

The CPD said one adult male was shot during the incident, and he was transported to the University of Tennessee Medical Center with injuries that were not life-threatening. Police said the man had at least one gunshot wound to his lower body, according to WYSH Radio in Clinton, which cited CPD Assistant Chief Jim Campbell.

Preliminary information from witnesses indicated that a car pulled into the store parking lot, fired multiple shots at the victim, and fled before officers arrived, WYSH Radio said.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Clinton, Front Page News, Police and Fire Tagged With: Clinton, Clinton Police Department, Git-N-Go, shooting, WYSH Radio

Woman dies in Clinton crash

Posted at 12:56 pm December 17, 2020
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

A 37-year-old woman died in a two-vehicle crash in Clinton on Friday, according to WYSH Radio in Clinton.

The head-on collision was reported Friday evening on North Main Street in front of the Anderson County Health Department building in Clinton.

The crash killed Elizabeth Rau of Clinton and injured the driver of the second vehicle, Stanley Slover of Rocky Top, WYSH reported.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Clinton, Front Page News, Police and Fire Tagged With: Clinton Police Department, crash, Elizabeth Rau, Stanley Slover

Ice cream truck driver charged with aggravated kidnapping allegedly had gun

Posted at 11:12 am September 14, 2020
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Troy Allen Stansberry, 29, of Knoxville, was arrested Aug. 27, 2020, after he allegedly kidnapped a 15-year-old Clinton girl in an ice cream truck and took her to a hotel in Caryville “for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity,” according to the Clinton Police Department. (Photo courtesy CPD)

The ice cream truck driver who allegedly kidnapped a Clinton girl in July had a pistol and threatened to shoot the girl if she didn’t get into his vehicle, according to a court affidavit.

Troy Allen Stansberry, 29, of Knoxville, took the 15-year-old girl, who had been reported as missing, from a Clinton neighborhood to a Budget Host Inn in Caryville “for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity,” according to the affidavit and the Clinton Police Department.

The girl, who is not being publicly identified, told police that she entered the Pela Ice Cream truck after Stansberry showed her the pistol and threatened to shoot her if she did not get in, according to the affidavit. The girl did not want to make Stansberry mad, so she got into the vehicle, said the affidavit, which was filed by Clinton Police Department Sergeant Scott Gregory.

Stansberry has been charged with aggravated kidnapping. Stansberry took the girl without consent or permission, the affidavit said.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Anderson County, Anderson County, Clinton, Courts, Front Page News, Police and Fire, Top Stories Tagged With: aggravated kidnapping, Anderson County General Sessions Court, Clinton Police Department, Leslie Hunt, Scott Gregory, Troy Allen Stansberry

For members: Thousands of movies, games, ink cartridges seized from McGuire, Packard’s, indictment says

Posted at 1:39 pm August 30, 2020
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Law enforcement officers who searched McGuire Used Books and Packard’s stores in Oak Ridge, Clinton, and Kingston more than two years ago seized thousands of movies, video games, and printer ink cartridges, and after the searches and seizures, an Oak Ridge man was charged with money laundering, organized retail crime, and theft, according to an indictment filed in Anderson County in June.

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Law enforcement officers who searched McGuire Used Books and Packard’s stores in Oak Ridge, Clinton, and Kingston more than two years ago seized thousands of movies, video games, and printer ink cartridges, and after the searches and seizures, an Oak Ridge man was charged with money laundering, organized retail crime, and theft, according to an indictment filed in Anderson County in June.

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

Already a member? Great! Thank you! Sign in here.

Not a member? No problem! Subscribe here:

Basic

  • Basic monthly subscription ($5 per month)—access premium content
  • Basic annual subscription ($60 per year)—access premium content

Pro

  • Pro monthly subscription ($10 per month)—access premium content, get breaking news emails first, and submit one press release or public service announcement per month
  • Pro annual subscription ($100 per year)—save $20 per year, access premium content, get breaking news emails first, and submit one press release or public service announcement per month

Temporary

  • Temporary access ($3 per week for two weeks)

If you prefer to send a check, you may do so by mailing one to:

Oak Ridge Today
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Oak Ridge, TN 37831

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We also accept donations. You can donate here. A donation of $50 or more will make you eligible for a subscription.

Thank you for reading Oak Ridge Today. We appreciate your support!

Filed Under: Anderson County, Anderson County, Business, Clinton, Clinton, Courts, Courts, Front Page News, Kingston, Kingston, Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge, Police and Fire, Premium Content, Slider, Top Stories Tagged With: Anderson County Criminal Court, grand jury indictment, John McGuire Packard, judicial forfeiture, Justin Bell, McGuire Used Books, money laundering, organized retail crime, Packards, theft

New federal designation means more law enforcement funding, full-time ATF agent

Posted at 10:24 am December 29, 2019
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Anderson-County-High-Intensity-Drug-Trafficking-Area-Press-Conference-Dec-17-2019
A new federal designation for Anderson County will mean more federal funding for the county’s drug and violent crime task force and a full-time agent from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Seventh Judicial District Attorney General Dave Clark said Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2019. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

A new federal designation for Anderson County will mean more federal funding for the county’s drug and violent crime task force and a full-time agent from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

Anderson County is now a high-intensity drug trafficking area, or HIDTA. That designation came from the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. It occurred in September and will go into effect January 1.

As part of a two-part announcement this month, law enforcement officials said the White House also selected the county’s task force, the Seventh Judicial District Crime Task Force, as an Appalachia HIDTA, or AHIDTA. It’s the only locally led drug task force in Tennessee, according to Seventh Judicial District Attorney General Dave Clark. The county’s Crime Task Force, or CTF, is led by Director Simon Byrne.

“No other drug task force in Tennessee has been awarded an AHIDTA grant,” Clark said. “I am very proud of our leadership team for thinking outside of the box and in looking for smart ways to make our communities safer as well as be good stewards of taxpayer dollars. We are more excited than we can convey, but in short believe that this development has the potential to be transformative as to what we are able to do in Anderson County to protect and serve our communities.”

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Anderson County, Clinton, Federal, Front Page News, Government, Oak Ridge, Oliver Springs, Police, Police and Fire, Slider, Tennessee, U.S. Tagged With: AHIDTA, Anderson County, Appalachia HIDTA, ATF, Clinton Police Department, CTF, Dave Clark, Frank A. Haera, HIDTA, high-intensity drug trafficking area, J. Douglas Overbey, Seventh Judicial District Crime Task Force, Simon Byrne, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, White House, White House Office of National Drug Control Policy

Clinch Avenue needs repairs near bridge after heavy rains

Posted at 12:34 am November 26, 2019
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Clinton Police Department Clinch Avenue Road Separation Nov 25 2019
Clinch Avenue in Clinton will require repairs after heavy rains on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019, caused the road bed to fail in the northbound lanes just north of the Lewallen Bridge, according to the Clinton Police Department. (Photo courtesy CPD)

Clinch Avenue in Clinton will require repairs after heavy rains on Saturday caused the road bed to fail in the northbound lanes just north of the Lewallen Bridge, according to the Clinton Police Department.

The bridge is not affected, but the traffic lanes on Clinch Avenue (State Route 9) near South Charles G. Seivers Boulevard (State Route 61).

The Tennessee Department of Transportation currently has traffic restricted to one lane traveling in each direction, the CPD said Monday.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Clinton, Front Page News, Government, Police and Fire, State Tagged With: Clinch Avenue, Clinton Police Department, heavy rain, Lewallen Bridge, Tennessee Department of Transportation

Drug Take Back Day is Saturday in Oak Ridge, Clinton, Norris, Rocky Top

Posted at 1:26 pm October 25, 2019
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Anderson County is participating in the 16th Annual DEA Rx Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 26. Community members can bring their expired or unused medicines to one of the Anderson County Take Back locations anytime between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday.

Collection sites will be located at the police departments listed below. Each department will be set up outside in their respective parking lots to receive the expired or unused medicines.

  • Clinton Police Department, 125 West Broad Street, Clinton
  • Norris Police Department, 9 West Circle Road, Norris (will begin at 8 a.m.)
  • Oak Ridge Police Department, 200 South Tulane Avenue, Oak Ridge
  • Rocky Top Police Department, 104 Lawson Street, Rocky Top

The National Rx Drug Take Back Day addresses a crucial public safety and public health issue, a press release said. According to the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 6.4 million Americans misused controlled prescription drugs, and that number has continued to climb in recent years. Studies show many of the misused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet. The Take Back Day provides an opportunity for Americans to prevent drug addiction and overdose deaths in the community and communities across the United States.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Clinton, Community, Health, Norris, Oak Ridge, Oliver Springs, Police and Fire, Rocky Top Tagged With: ASAP of Anderson, DEA Rx Drug Take Back Day, Drug Take Back Day, Rx Drug Take Back Day

TBI: Man reportedly pointed gun at officers before they fatally shot him

Posted at 10:12 pm August 13, 2019
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Seventh Judicial District Attorney General Dave Clark, center, talks to the media after a fatal shooting involving officers on West Broad Street near the city limits of north Clinton on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2019. Also pictured are Anderson County Sheriff Russell Barker, left, and Clinton Police Chief Vaughn Becker, right. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

Note: This story was last updated at 12 p.m. Aug. 15.

CLINTON—A man who was reported to be suicidal had reportedly pointed a gun at officers before they fired their guns, fatally striking him, during a standoff with police near the city limits of north Clinton on Tuesday evening, authorities said.

On Wednesday, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation identified the man as Jerry Orlando Weaver, 51, of Clinton.

A 911 caller had reported a suicidal man with a firearm in the 600 block of West Broad Street at about 5:40 p.m. Tuesday, authorities said. The man was reported to be near the roadway with a gun, according to the TBI, which is investigating the officer-involved shooting.

The Clinton Police Department, Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, and Seventh Judicial District Crime Task Force responded. There were reported to be more than a dozen officers at the site. There was a standoff of about 15 to 20 minutes, said Dave Clark, district attorney general in the Seventh Judicial District in Anderson County.

When they arrived, officers made contact with the man, who was threatening to harm himself, the TBI said.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Anderson County, Clinton, Front Page News, Police, Police and Fire, Slider, Tennessee Tagged With: Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, Clinton, Clinton Police Department, Dave Clark, Jerry Orlando Weaver, officer-involved shooting, Seventh Judicial District, Seventh Judicial District Crime Task Force, shooting, TBI, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, West Broad Street

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