A Knoxville woman was hospitalized Wednesday night after a driver hit her on North Broadway and took off, leaving police searching for both the vehicle and the person behind the wheel.
The crash happened in the 1700 block of North Broadway after the woman had just walked out of a nearby KenJo gas station. She was taken to the University of Tennessee Medical Center with what officers described as suspected non-life-threatening injuries. The driver did not stop, and as of now, police have released no description of the vehicle.
Investigators are urging anyone who was in the area around the time of the crash to speak up, saying even a small detail could help them crack the case.
Police: Driver Took Off After Broadway Crash
Officers were called out around 9:15 p.m. Wednesday after a bystander reported that a pedestrian had been struck in the 1700 block of North Broadway. The Knoxville Police Department said the victim had just left the KenJo gas station before she was hit, and that she was transported to UT Medical Center with suspected non-life-threatening injuries, according to the Knoxville Police Department.
What Investigators Want From the Public
Police have not yet identified the driver and have not released any description of the vehicle. Local coverage reported that the crash happened at about 9:15 p.m. and confirmed that investigators are still working to determine who was behind the wheel, according to WVLT.
Detectives are asking anyone who saw the collision, noticed a vehicle leaving the area in a hurry, or has relevant video footage to contact them. They stress that tips that seem minor, such as a partial plate or a vehicle color, can still be useful.
How to Help
Officials are directing tipsters to East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers. The group lists an anonymous hotline at 877-363-8847, an online tip form, and the P3 Tips mobile app, and notes that tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward, according to East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers.
Tips can be submitted without giving a name, and investigators say that information from the community often fills in the gaps when there are no immediate leads.
Why North Broadway Matters
City crash data shows that North Broadway is part of Knoxville’s High Injury Network, a set of corridors that see a disproportionate share of serious wrecks. The city’s Vision Zero plan highlights the road for targeted safety improvements, according to the City of Knoxville.
The Knoxville Police Department has previously reported on deadly and serious pedestrian crashes along North Broadway, including a fatal collision at North Broadway and Atlantic Avenue that is detailed in a past update from the Knoxville Police Department.
Legal Context
Under Tennessee law, drivers involved in crashes that cause injury are required to stop, provide identifying information, and offer reasonable assistance. Failing to do so can result in hit-and-run charges, according to the state code and legal summaries.
Leaving the scene of a crash that causes injury can be charged as a felony under Tennessee statutes. One summary of the law appears on Justia, and another overview of Tennessee hit-and-run rules is available from Recording Law.
Anyone with information about Wednesday night’s North Broadway crash is asked to contact East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers at 877-363-8847 or submit an anonymous tip through East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers. Tipsters can also call the Knoxville Police Department East District non-emergency line at 865-215-4010 for further guidance. Investigators say video from bystanders and seemingly small observations may be the key to identifying the vehicle and driver.
