UNION COUNTY, Tenn. — UPDATE (4/8): Three people were confirmed dead after a Union County wreck on Highway 33, according to the Tennessee Constable's Association.
A Union County Constable, John Dennis, received reports on April 6 at around 5:56 p.m. about a white Dodge pickup truck driving recklessly. Dennis responded to the call after reports of the truck hitting a mailbox and a tree.
Dennis passed the truck on Sharps Chapel Road, and later found it parked in a parking lot, TCA said. The constable pulled into the parking lot and activated his emergency lights but as Dennis got out of his vehicle, the truck began to leave.
TCA said Dennis followed the truck as it ran through a stop sign but did not see it again until it hit another vehicle at the north end of Highway 33 bridge, caught fire and went into the air over the side of the bridge, according to a release from TCA.
Dennis attempted to extinguish the fire with a fire extinguisher from his vehicle, along with the help of a Union County Sheriff's Office deputy who arrived at the crash, TCA said.
The attempts to save the passengers of both vehicles failed, with both officers receiving non-life-threatening injuries, according to TCA.
TCA confirmed two victims died in the Dodge truck, and one victim also died in the vehicle the truck hit.
"This incident remains under investigation by the Tennessee Highway Patrol. Multiple agencies assisted with this crash," TCA said.
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UPDATE (4/7): The Union County Rescue Squad updated their post at 1:54 a.m. on April 7 and said the section of Highway 33 was reopened after the wreck. The update came around four hours after the initial post.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol is currently investigating the wreck.
"We have been in consultation with the Union County Sherriff's Office and Tennessee Highway Patrol," said Union County District Attorney Jared Effler. "THP's Critical Response Team is investigating the crash."
The Tennessee Department of Transportation confirmed that "several" vehicles were involved.
A spokesperson for THP said the investigation is ongoing.
Details such as the amount of vehicles and any injuries are not immediately available. This story will be updated when more information is available.
PREVIOUS STORY:
A multi-vehicle wreck on Highway 33 in Union County has caused the roadway to be shut down for several hours, the Union County Rescue Squad said.
"SR 33 is closed at the Highway 33 bridge in Union County due to a serious crash involving multiple vehicles," the Tennessee Department of Transportation said.
The wreck was reported around 5:37 p.m. on April 6, according to TDOT.
Details such as the amount of vehicles and any injuries are not immediately available. This story will be updated when more information is available.