Crime
Mass Casualty Incident Declared After Multiple Injured After Vehicle Strikes Pedestrians and Vehicles in Downtown Gatlinburg
GATLINBURG, TN — Authorities are investigating a serious multi-vehicle crash involving pedestrians in downtown Gatlinburg on Sunday afternoon, which left at least six people injured.
The incident occurred around 4:14 p.m. in the 700 block of Parkway, between traffic lights No. 6 and No. 8.
According to the Gatlinburg Police Department (GPD), the crash was triggered when a driver reportedly suffered a medical emergency, causing their vehicle to collide with several other cars and strike pedestrians along the busy street.
The situation prompted a mass casualty incident (MCI) declaration due to the number of victims and the scale of the emergency response.
Emergency crews from GPD, Gatlinburg Fire Department, and the Tennessee Highway Patrol quickly responded to the scene.
Multiple ambulances and medical helicopters were dispatched to assist with transporting the injured. Authorities confirmed that six individuals were taken to area hospitals for treatment.
The extent of their injuries has not been officially released.
Footage from the Gatlinburg Space Needle captured the aftermath, showing several heavily damaged vehicles along the roadway and emergency responders actively working the scene.
Traffic along Parkway came to a complete halt as responders secured the area and assisted victims.
The Tennessee Department of Transportation reported significant delays and advised motorists to avoid the area while investigations continue.
No additional information about the driver or the condition of those injured has been released at this time.
This remains an active investigation.
Authorities are asking witnesses or anyone with relevant information to contact the Gatlinburg Police Department.
Authorities have identified the man shot and killed Friday afternoon in a parking lot outside a Little Caesars restaurant in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood.
The victim has been named as Stevens Jeffrey, 29, according to police and the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office.
The shooting occurred in the 2600 block of West Cermak Road near Rockwell Street at approximately 1:10 p.m., according to the Chicago Police Department (CPD).
Preliminary reports indicate that Jeffrey was sitting in his vehicle when he was approached by an unknown vehicle.
An armed individual exited that vehicle and opened fire, striking Jeffrey multiple times in the face and body.
Emergency responders arrived on the scene, where Jeffrey was pronounced dead. He was discovered inside his vehicle with his two young children, ages 4 and 6, who were unharmed.
Both children were transported to Stroger Hospital for precautionary evaluation.
The shooting took place in the parking lot of a Little Caesars restaurant, where investigators recovered multiple shell casings and placed numerous evidence markers on the ground.
As of Friday evening, no suspects are in custody, and detectives from the CPD Area Four Homicide Unit are leading the investigation. Police have not released information on a possible motive.
Authorities are urging anyone with information about this homicide to contact Chicago Police or submit an anonymous tip at CPDTip.com.