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.
Crime
Agent Nic Graham Dies After Being Shot in Lakewood Police Shootout With Suspect Gabriel Garcia on RTD Bus
LAKEWOOD, Colorado — A Lakewood police agent who was critically wounded during a shootout with a suspect aboard an RTD bus has died, authorities confirmed. The fallen officer was identified as Nic Graham, a member of the Lakewood Police Department since 2019.
Graham was among four police agents injured Thursday evening when an armed confrontation erupted near Colfax Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard. A civilian bystander was also struck by gunfire.
The shooting followed a police search for a suspect connected to a hit-and-run crash reported earlier in the day.
Police said the incident initially began shortly before 3:45 p.m. Thursday, following a hit-and-run collision near Kipling Street and West 13th Avenue in Lakewood.
Witnesses told investigators that the suspect ran away almost immediately after the crash. However, they provided officers with a description that helped police identify and search for the individual.
Lakewood Police Public Information Agent John Romero said witnesses were able to give officers a useful description of the person who fled the scene.
Several hours later, at approximately 6:30 p.m., a Lakewood police agent recognized the individual boarding an RTD bus near Colfax Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard.
Officers approached the suspect at approximately 6:32 p.m. Police said the individual opened fire on officers, resulting in an exchange of gunfire.
Responding officers returned fire, striking the suspect. The individual was pronounced dead at the scene and was identified as Gabriel Garcia.
Garcia was reportedly on parole when the shooting occurred.
The circumstances surrounding the confrontation remain part of the ongoing investigation.
Four Lakewood police agents suffered gunshot wounds during the confrontation. Their injuries ranged from serious to critical, and all four were transported to nearby hospitals.
Despite receiving emergency medical treatment, Graham later died from his injuries.
One civilian bystander was also hit by gunfire and hospitalized. The person’s condition had not been publicly disclosed as of Friday afternoon.
Hospital updates released Friday morning indicated that two agents treated at Denver Health Medical Center had been released. Another remained hospitalized, while officials had not provided a complete update on the remaining injured individuals.
Graham began serving with the Lakewood Police Department in 2019 after graduating from the police academy.
Throughout his law enforcement career, he contributed to criminal investigations and earned recognition for his work.
One of his notable achievements came in 2023, when he received the department’s Special Investigations Unit Wingman Award for his contributions to investigations targeting gang members.
Police Chief Philip Smith paid tribute to Graham, highlighting his dedication, compassion and commitment to helping others.
Chief Smith said Graham demonstrated those qualities throughout his career, from his early days on patrol to his investigative work.
His death has left the department and the wider Lakewood community grieving the loss of an officer who dedicated his career to public service.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities examine the circumstances that led to the deadly confrontation.
The shooting resulted in the death of suspect Gabriel Garcia, the fatal injury of Agent Nic Graham, injuries to three additional police agents and a civilian bystander.
Officials have not released a final investigative account of the incident. Further updates are expected as investigators establish the complete sequence of events.