CHATTANOOGA, TN - Saturday, May 20,2006 - 11:55 pm - Units with the Chattanooga/Hamilton County Rescue Squad were returning to their station from the annual River Roast Event in downtown Chattanooga, when they came upon a serious traffic accident on I-24 Eastbound near the Germantown Road overpass. Assistant Chief Frank Pate, with the rescue squad, immediately called for additional rescue assistance from the City of Chattanooga Fire Department as well as an EMS unit with Hamilton County EMS. City of Chattanooga Fire Department dispatched one engine company and two squads to the scene.
Within minutes additional rescuers and resources arrived on the scene. Unfortunately it was quickly determined that the driver of the black Mercedes had succumb to his massive injuries. The crash involved a semi tractor trailer, the Mercedes and a white Chevy blazer. Luckily the driver of the blazer and the driver of the semi tractor trailer were uninjured in the crash. After police concluded their investigation, crews with the Chattanooga/Hamilton County Rescue service had the task of extricating the fatally injured man from the massive wreckage.
Witnesses at the scene said the Mercedes spun out of control striking the center retainer wall and then back into the other lanes of travel. The Mercedes then collided with the Chevy blazer and then being struck "t-Bone" style in the drivers side by the semi tractor trailer. Witnesses said the units with the Chattanooga/Hamilton County Rescue Squad were there almost before the vehicles stopped. Witnesses said the rescuers quickly rushed to save the life of the driver of the Mercedes, but it was already to late. East Ridge Police Department is investigating the cause of the crash.
