Three people are confirmed dead after a horrific head-on collision in Union County, Tennessee, triggered by a chase involving a local constable. The Tennessee Highway Patrol is spearheading an inquiry into the fiery accident that unfolded Saturday on Highway 33 near Norris Lake, as reported by WATE.

According to the WVLT, the sequence of events began when Union County Constable John Dennis was alerted by E-911 of a white pickup truck engaging in reckless driving behavior. The truck, which was reported to have struck a mailbox and a tree, eventually crossed paths with Dennis, accelerating dangerously toward Highway 33. The constable's subsequent pursuit was short-lived, as the white truck collided head-on with a van, burst into flames, and became airborne over the bridge.

Two of the deceased were in the truck, while the third victim, identified by WBIR as Joshua Scott, was the driver of the van.

Scott, a resident of Tazewell and an apprentice at Green Hills Funeral Home in Kentucky, was pursuing a career in Mortuary Science. The Tennessee Highway Patrol refused to disclose additional details pending identification of the other deceased individuals. Dennis, along with another officer from the Union County Sheriff's Office, suffered minor injuries while attempting unsuccessfully to rescue the victims from the engulfing flames and smoke.

Questions concerning oversight and training have surfaced in the wake of the crash. Constables in Tennessee, who wield the same powers as police and sheriff’s deputies, operate under minimal scrutiny. "Once their investigation is complete, the results of that investigation will be released to our office for consideration," Union County District Attorney General Jared Effler told WBIR, regarding the ongoing case.