Today at approximately 6:17am the Bristol Tennessee Communications Center received a call of “rocks in the road” on Raytheon Rd near the solid waste collection station. Officers responded to the scene and discovered a rockslide had occurred, blocking both lanes of travel. The first officer on-scene used his cruiser to block the travel lanes and illuminated his emergency lighting to warn traffic of the hazard.
At approximately 6:29am, the officer on-scene radioed the communications center he had been involved in an accident, was injured, and trapped in his vehicle. The officer was taken to the ER for treatment of what are believed to be minor injuries. The other driver refused medical transport. The accident is being investigated by the Tennessee Highway Patrol, and any questions regarding causation or charges should be directed to them.
The City is in the process of getting the roadway cleared. A geotechnical engineer has examined the scene and will examine it again once the roadway has been cleared. A determination will then be made as to any mitigation efforts that need to be made before the roadway is reopened. It is anticipated this process will take at least two days, possibly longer. The roadway will remain closed to thru traffic until it is deemed safe.
