A late-night crash on one of Hamilton County’s most unforgiving stretches of road has claimed the life of a young deputy, sending shockwaves through local law enforcement and the wider community.
Hamilton County Sheriff’s Deputy Landon Faulkner, 24, died after a collision on Highway 111 late Wednesday, authorities said. He was taken to a hospital following the wreck and later succumbed to his injuries. The crash shut down the southbound lanes above the Lewis Chapel Mountain scenic overlook for hours while crews worked the scene.
Crash scene and response
Emergency crews quickly closed the highway, and investigators found a Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office SUV among the damaged vehicles, as reported by WDEF. TDOT traffic logs showed the closure stretched between East Valley Road and Lewis Chapel Road while the Tennessee Highway Patrol led the on-scene response.
Investigation and officer details
According to WBIR, the Tennessee Highway Patrol’s preliminary report states that Faulkner was driving a 2020 Ford Explorer southbound when, at about 9:32 p.m. on April 8, it struck a disabled vehicle stopped in the left lane. The report notes that Faulkner was not wearing a seatbelt. The other driver, a 61-year-old man, was not injured and, at the time of the report, no charges were pending.
The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office told WBIR it had asked the public to “keep the deputy’s family, friends, and colleagues in thoughts and prayers,” adding that funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.
Local context
The deadly crash is a stark reminder of the risks on the region’s narrow, mountainous routes. State crash data show Hamilton County recorded 39 traffic fatalities in 2024, down from 51 in 2023, underscoring the persistent danger along stretches like Lewis Chapel Mountain, per the Tennessee traffic fatality report. Tennessee Department of Safety figures also outline broader district trends that feed into those county totals.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol continues to investigate the collision, and the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office has said it will share updates when they are available. The department has requested privacy for the deputy’s family and colleagues as they mourn his loss.
