Traffic along Dolly Parton Parkway came to a standstill Thursday evening after a 75‑year‑old Sevierville man was fatally injured when his three‑wheeled Can‑Am Spyder hit the back of a pickup truck in the 1300 block of the roadway. Police identified the rider as James Butler. He was taken to LeConte Medical Center and later pronounced dead, while the pickup driver sustained only minor injuries. Emergency crews shut down part of the parkway while they worked the scene.
According to a post from the Sevierville Police Department, the crash unfolded as a Nissan pickup, driven by 52‑year‑old Jason Little, attempted to turn into Chubby’s when the Can‑Am Spyder ran into the rear of the truck. Accident Reconstructionist Detective Kinsley Prevatt provided the initial account of how the collision occurred.
Crash details
Investigators say Little was heading west on Dolly Parton Parkway and tried to pull into the lot at Chubby’s when Butler’s Can‑Am Spyder struck the back of his Nissan. Crews with Sevier County Ambulance Service transported both men to Covenant Health LeConte for treatment. Little suffered minor injuries, and Butler was later pronounced dead at the hospital. The roadway was closed during the emergency response and scene processing.
Investigation underway
The Sevierville Police Department’s Accident Reconstruction Team and Criminal Investigations Division are leading the investigation. Officials have not released any information indicating impairment or criminal charges, and the cause of the crash is still under review. Investigators are asking anyone who witnessed the collision or has video from the area to contact them.
Road safety context
Dolly Parton Parkway is listed in the county’s High Injury Network, where planners warn that heavy traffic, numerous driveways, and frequent turning movements increase the risk of serious crashes. The county’s Sevier County Safety Action Plan calls for access management and redesigned intersections to cut down on fatalities and severe injuries along the corridor. The documents cite congestion and constant turning conflicts as recurring factors in how serious crashes become on routes such as Dolly Parton Parkway.
Anyone with information about the crash is asked to call the Sevierville Police Department at 865‑453‑5506. Officials have not released additional details, and further updates are expected as the investigation continues.
