JEFFERSON COUNTY, Tennessee — Update (9/2): Officials said Jefferson County paramedic Jeremy Sutton died in the crash. Paramedic Sarah Brooks was also injured in the accident and was taken to UT Medical Center. She's in stable condition, Jefferson County EMS Director Brad Phillips said.
Sutton and Brooks were responding to a crash near the I-40 and I-81 split. While trying to cross the road, their ambulance was hit by a tractor-trailer, Phillips said.
According to a crash report from the Tennessee Highway Patrol, the Jefferson County ambulance was traveling south on I-81 at the merge with I-40 West. The tractor-trailer was driving west on I-40 "in the continuous left side ramp at the I-40 west/I-81 south interchange."
The ambulance was attempting to make a left turn to access the I-40 East lanes with its emergency lights on. The ambulance then turned in front of the tractor-trailer's lane of travel where it was hit, the crash report said.
The wreck is under investigation, THP said.
The Jefferson County rescue squad released a statement after Sutton's death. It can be read below.
"It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Jeremy Sutton our assistant chief of the department. Jeremy was working his paramedic job with Jefferson County EMS when his and his partners med unit was involved in a motor vehicle incident on interstate 40 last night after clearing from an earlier call. Jeremy passed away at UT Hospital in Knoxville from his injuries.Please keep his family, his work family and the other emergency services in Jefferson County in your prayers the next few days, weeks and months.
Also please keep his EMS partner Sarah in your prayers as she recovers from her injuries over the coming months. Both volunteered their time to this organization."
According to Farrar Funeral Home, Sutton's body will lie in repose on Saturday, Sept. 7 from noon to 2 p.m. in the auditorium of Lakeway Performing Arts Center at Lakeway Christian Academy in White Pine. His family will receive friends that day from 2 to 4 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m.
Sutton's funeral will happen at 11 a.m. Sunday at the same location, followed by a burial with emergency service honors at White Pine Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking people to donate to the Jefferson County Volunteer Rescue Squad or to a fund established for Sutton's children at Knoxville TVA Employees Credit Union.
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Several lanes on Interstate 40 and Interstate 81 are closed in Jefferson County after a crash involving a county ambulance.
The crash was reported at 9:30 p.m. at the I-81 and I-40 split, according to the Tennessee Department of Transportation.
The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office said a county ambulance was involved in the wreck. Two medics were on board and were seriously hurt, the sheriff said.
JCSO said the ambulance was not carrying a patient. Officials said the ambulance was at an earlier wreck at the location when it was hit.
Traffic was moving slowly through the crash site as of 10:50 p.m., but nearly all lanes were closed on I-81 South and I-40 West. Officials said they expect to be working the crash for several hours.
Tennessee Highway Patrol troopers were investigating and said they would release more information as it's available.