ANDERSON COUNTY, Tenn. — One person died and another injured after a car chase involving Tennessee Highway Patrol troopers ended in a crash on Norris Freeway Sunday afternoon, District Attorney General Dave Clark said.
On Feb. 5, they were identified as Elijah Morley of Dandridge and Dustin Dienst of Morristown. Trooper Austin Dean had been pursuing them.
THP said on Feb. 9 that Dienst passed away on Tuesday. They said he had been hospitalized since the crash. They also said that the investigation will take several months and authorities will wait on the blood toxicology report, the final autopsy report and the accident reconstruction report.
The pursuit traveled multiple roadways before ending in the crash around 2 p.m. near Mountain Road and Highway 441 in unincorporated Anderson County, Clark said.
The driver of the suspect vehicle died and the passenger is in the hospital, Clark said. A trooper was taken to the hospital, treated, and released.
The names of those involved are being withheld at this time, Clark said.
A THP critical incident reconstruction team is on scene and will be examining the exact circumstances of the crash, Clark said. The incident is under review by the Tennessee Highway Patrol and Clark's office.
A THP spokesperson directed all questions to the District Attorney General.
Clark said in a statement he would not release additional information about the incident until the investigation is complete.
"Consistent with our long-standing policy and in order to preserve the integrity of the investigation and the ability to use the evidence and investigating findings in a criminal case should one arise from the incident, this office will not be making public statements," he said.
He indicated he will be releasing a comprehensive report once the investigation is complete.