Former Knox County property assessor candidate Jackie Raley has taken a Knox County deputy and the sheriff's office to court, saying a wreck on Tazewell Pike left her with injuries to her head, neck, shoulder, and ribs. Her civil complaint, filed March 27 in Knox County Circuit Court, alleges the crash happened in 2025 and names Deputy Robert "Bob" Caldwell and the Knox County Sheriff's Office as defendants. Raley is seeking unspecified damages tied to medical treatment and pain and suffering.
What the lawsuit says
In the filing, Raley says Caldwell, identified as a Knox County deputy, was driving his personal vehicle when he pulled out in front of her car, triggering a collision that sent her to the emergency room. The complaint lays out the injuries she says she suffered and the follow-up care she required, according to Knoxville News Sentinel.
Legal hurdles for suing a deputy and the county
Tennessee's Governmental Tort Liability Act generally waives governmental immunity when an injury is proximately caused by an employee's negligent act, but it also carves out several exceptions. On top of that, courts sometimes apply the public-duty doctrine as a defense for law enforcement. Plaintiffs bringing cases against agencies like a sheriff's office typically must both plead negligence and show that their claim does not fall into one of the GTLA's listed exceptions, as reflected in Tennessee decisions summarized in Tennessee court rulings.
Where the case stands now
The lawsuit is now in the early stages of the civil process. It was filed March 27 in Knox County Circuit Court and will move through the docket as the county and Caldwell are formally served and submit their responses. Details on filings and how to access the public record are available through the Knox County clerk's office and its online portal, according to Knox County court records.
Raley's public profile
Raley ran for Knox County property assessor in 2024 and has previously worked in the assessor's office, a political and professional background that has kept local eyes on her legal fight. That history helps explain why a car crash lawsuit has drawn quick attention in county political circles, as noted in local coverage by KnoxTN Today.
What to watch next
The county and Deputy Caldwell will have a set period to file an answer or an early motion that could shape what happens next, including whether the case heads toward discovery, settlement discussions, or motions practice. We will be watching upcoming court filings and any statements from the sheriff's office as the civil case unfolds, and readers can follow along through the circuit clerk's public resources for access to the complaint and docket activity.
