An elderly pedestrian was fatally struck in a hit-and-run collision on North Broadway near Buchanan Avenue in Knoxville, a situation leaving the community anguished and a family mourning. Knoxville Police Department confirmed the incident occurred Monday night, taking the life of 75-year-old Ollie Jenkins. Scott Erland, Knoxville Police Department Communications Manager, disclosed details about the tragic event and subsequent arrest to WVLT.
The Knoxville Police were summoned to the scene just before 9:00 p.m. Witnesses provided officers with a vehicle description and a license plate number that eventually led to the arrest of 45-year-old Heather Johns. A visit to the registered vehicle's address in the 700 block of Chickamauga Avenue led to the discovery of a silver Chevy Equinox with front-end damage, thought to be involved in the collision, as per WVLT. According to police, Johns was found in the driver's seat with keys on her. She is believed to have been under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash.
The victim, Jenkins, was rapidly transported to the University of Tennessee Medical Center due to her injuries, where she was later pronounced dead. The Knoxville News Sentinel reported her death, deeply felt across Knoxville, as community members reiterated the perils pedestrians face and the anguish inflicted by such preventable tragedies. A follow-up report by WBIR detailed that, after the discovery of the damaged vehicle, Johns was taken into custody and has been charged with vehicular homicide by intoxication.
As the breakdown continues, Johns is currently held at the Roger D. Wilson Detention Facility. According to a news release obtained by WATE, "KPD stated the investigation remains ongoing."
