A stretch of Old Knoxville Highway in Sevierville turned into a crime scene Thursday after police found what they called a possible small explosive device inside a car, prompting officers to clear out nearby homes and businesses as a precaution. The road was shut down while bomb technicians and deputies moved in to secure the area, which remained under active investigation late Thursday afternoon.
What officials said
According to WVLT, the device was discovered in a vehicle in the 1000 block of Old Knoxville Highway. Authorities set up an evacuation zone covering roughly 200 to 300 feet around the car. "Out of an abundance of caution, Old Knoxville Highway is closed between Gists Creek Road and Love Road, and nearby residents and businesses have been evacuated," the Sevierville Police Department said.
Bomb team on scene
The Sevier County Interagency Hazardous Devices Unit responded to the scene alongside Sevierville officers and deputies from the Sevier County Sheriff's Office to evaluate the item and, if needed, render it safe. The Knoxville Police Department notes that hazardous devices teams handle improvised explosive devices, unexploded ordnance and post-blast investigations, and they frequently assist neighboring agencies on multi-jurisdiction responses.
Road closures and investigation
Old Knoxville Highway stayed closed between Gists Creek Road and Love Road while crews worked the scene, and Sevierville police said the investigation remained active and ongoing. No additional details had been released as of late Thursday afternoon, as reported by WVLT.
How residents were advised
Local emergency officials typically urge people to steer clear of blocked-off areas, follow instructions from law enforcement on the ground, and sign up for county alert systems such as CodeRED to get real-time updates. The Sevier County Emergency Management Agency explains that during incidents like this, an incident commander decides when evacuations are necessary and coordinates the broader multi-agency response.
Anyone with information about the incident was asked to reach out to local law enforcement, and authorities said they plan to share more updates as the investigation moves forward.
