Longtime Tennessee sports reporter and on-air host Wes Rucker was killed Thursday in a multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 40 in west Knoxville. He was 43.
Crash on I-40 West
According to the Knoxville Police Department, the collision happened around 4:50 p.m. on I-40 West near the Cedar Bluff Road exit after traffic had slowed and one vehicle was rear-ended, setting off a chain reaction involving five vehicles. A pickup later drove into and onto one of the cars, causing catastrophic damage, and the driver of that car was pronounced dead at the scene. Police said the crash involved multiple impacts and closed lanes while authorities investigated, WVLT reported.
Family confirms Rucker's death
Family members later identified the victim as Wes Rucker and said he was the only person killed in the wreck, the Knoxville News Sentinel reported. Rucker, a University of Tennessee graduate who had covered Vols athletics since 2000, leaves behind his wife, Lauren, and son Hank; the family had announced in December that they were expecting a second child. The paper also notes that Rucker survived a stroke in 2015 and had most recently worked as a writer and host for WBIR.
Two decades covering the Vols
Rucker spent years on the Tennessee beat for outlets including GoVols247/247Sports and hosted podcasts and radio shows that made him a familiar voice to Vols fans. His recent bylines and program work are listed on his professional profile, which includes WBIR work and podcast appearances. For examples of his coverage and shows, see his profile on Muck Rack and earlier GoVols247 episodes.
Community reaction and investigation
Colleagues, current and former players, and fans shared condolences online as local newsrooms and sports programs tried to process the sudden loss. Family members have asked for privacy while the Knoxville Police continue their investigation into the crash and have not released further details, according to reporting from WVLT.
