A driver who tried to bolt after spotting what turned out to be an unmarked law enforcement vehicle wound up crashing into a Knox County Sheriff’s Office narcotics unit car in East Knoxville on Monday, leaving three people injured. The collision happened at the intersection of McCalla Avenue and Bertrand Street after the fleeing vehicle ran a red light, officials said. A Knox County detective was taken by ambulance with non-life-threatening injuries, and both the driver and a passenger in the other car were also transported to nearby hospitals.
According to WBIR, Knox County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Kimberly Glenn said the suspect tried to flee after noticing an unmarked law enforcement vehicle, ran a red light, and then hit the narcotics unit car. Glenn told WBIR the KCSO narcotics vehicle “was moving into the area” and said she believes the stop was tied to a joint operation. She added that the suspect and a passenger were taken to hospitals and that the suspect will face charges.
What the 313 Initiative is
The narcotics unit has, in recent years, worked with regional partners on targeted drug investigations. The 313 Initiative, named for Detroit’s area code, is a multi-agency effort that focuses on disrupting suspected drug trafficking from the Detroit area into East Tennessee, according to WSMV. The Knox County Sheriff’s Office also lists a Narcotics Unit on its site that conducts traffic stops and targeted enforcement operations across the county.
Investigation and next steps
Investigators told WBIR the crash remains under investigation and that formal charges will be filed after detectives finish collecting evidence. Officials have not released the specific charges or the current conditions of the suspect and passenger. The sheriff’s office and prosecutors are expected to review the case as they determine what charges to pursue.
