Pedestrian Hospitalized After Collision with State Trooper In Springfield
UPDATE: Tuesday 2:15 PM The Tennessee Highway Patrol’s Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) returned to Springfield to take additional measurements on Memorial Boulevard at the location where a trooper’s patrol vehicle struck a pedestrian on Sunday evening. We are still working to gather more information, including the condition and identity of the pedestrian.
SPRINGFIELD TENNESSEE: (Smokey Barn News) – A pedestrian has been hospitalized after being struck by a Tennessee State Trooper’s vehicle on Memorial Boulevard Sunday evening. MAP The first call came into 911 at 8:34 p.m. The incident occurred near the train bridge, just past Central Avenue, where the area is known to be shadowy and dimly lit.
According to Robertson County EMS, the pedestrian was transported to Skyline Medical Center in very critical condition. The individual was reportedly wearing dark clothing, which made visibility even more difficult. It’s not uncommon to see people in Springfield crossing Memorial Blvd at night wearing all dark clothing.
A witness who was running nearly parallel to the trooper’s vehicle at the time of the incident reported that the area was dark. The witness said the trooper swerved in what was likely an attempt to avoid the pedestrian. The maneuver alerted the driver and he too swerved, just missing the individual who was on the ground at this point. The witness said the pedestrian appeared suddenly and without warning in the shadows.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol has confirmed that the crash involved one of their trooper’s vehicles. The trooper has been reassigned to administrative duties while an internal review is conducted. What remains unclear and will likely be addressed in the forthcoming Tennessee Highway Patrol report on the incident is whether the pedestrian was struck by another vehicle prior to the trooper.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol’s special investigation Critical Response Team (CRT) spent several hours investigating the scene, taking measurements and photographs. Memorial Boulevard was closed throughout the investigation, with support from local agencies including the Springfield Police Department, Robertson County Emergency Management, and Robertson County EMS.
