TENNESSEE POLICE OFFICER HIT BY CAR

A Chattanooga Police Traffic Investigator was hit while investigating a traffic accident at 3700 Tennessee Avenue overnight. Investigator David Allen was taking photos of an accident scene when he was hit by a Honda Accord driven by Doug Harper of 7745 Harper Road. Investigator Allen said that he had just signaled for traffic to stop so that he could continue taking photos of the scene.

Harper, who was at the traffic light, continued through the traffic light and hit Allen. Harper said that he never saw Investigator Allen and didn’t see him signal for traffic to stop. Investigator Allen received minor injuries. No charges have been filed against Harper.

The accident that Allen was investigating involved 33-yr-old Kelly Hearn of St. Elmo. Hearn was traveling south on Tennessee Avenue when he lost control of his car and struck a Ford Ranger driven by 31-yr-old Brett Huffman. Huffman stated that Hearn crossed into his lane and hit him then continued down the road. Huffman pursued Hearn when he didn’t stop and observed him continue driving in the oncoming lane of traffic before striking a tree.

Hearn told police that he thought he was having a heart attack. He was taken to Erlanger Medical Center for his injuries. Charges are pending further investigation.