Recent safety refresher training and jobsite JSA's (Job Safety Analysis) for interstate paving paid off in a big way on Southeast Tennessee's I-24 project yesterday afternoon when a police pursuit entered the jobsite and a shooting suspect was apprehended by police and RGI workers. Construction Manager Kevin Norrod noticed a cloud of dust approaching from about a half mile away moving toward the lane closure of paving operations around 2:30 pm. A car crash was ruled out as flashing blue lights of law enforcement vehicles became visible.
Realizing the chase would be upon the paving crew in a moment, Norrod shouted to the crew, some of whom had seen the oncoming situation and were clearing a safe path. Breakdown roller operator Ron Rowe moved away from the paver to make a path for the oncoming vehicles. Employees Lyndell Goines, Donnell Miller, and David Hanger were working around the paving operation and moved to shielded positions behind equipment.
The red Oldsmobile slid through the fresh asphalt; when the escape route ahead was blocked by the milling machine and a dump truck, the driver drove into the median. His escape was blocked again by oncoming traffic in the eastbound lanes.
The overheated car stopped, the male driver jumped from the car and ran across the eastbound lane into an open field bordered by woods. Fortunately, no employees were injured as the suspect's vehicle stopped in the work zone. Damage did occur to the suspect's vehicle and two other vehicles as he swerved through the work zone. Pursuing Commercial Vehicle Enforcement officers Ronnie Simmons and Mathew Minter secured the scene and arrested the female passenger.
Tennessee Highway Patrol officer Nathaniel Langley began foot pursuit of the driver. Watching this from just a few feet away, foreman John Adams, shuttle buggy operator Wade Hill, and Kevin Norrod recognized the officer's need for assistance. It also appeared the suspect was unarmed when exiting the car. The three men joined the officer in a chase across an open field and through a waist-high stream. The chase ended when the suspect turned to fight but was quickly subdued by Trooper Langley, Adams, Hill, and Norrod.
After the arrest, the crew learned the suspect, John Smith Jr., allegedly shot his father John Smith Sr. five times with a .22 caliber rifle in Chattanooga. Commercial Vehicle Enforcement officers saw the red Oldsmobile on Monteagle Mountain, and with a radio call to Trooper Langley, a high-speed pursuit ended about fifteen miles up I-24 at the paving site.
Mr. Smith, Sr. is in critical condition at Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga. The suspect now faces numerous felony counts including attempted first-degree murder. Trooper Langley was very grateful to the employees of Rogers Group for their assistance and quick reactions to the situations. (It was later reported that John Smith Sr. died.)
"We stress the importance of situational awareness," said Norrod, "and especially in such a dynamic environment like the interstate. I'm thankful no one was hurt and everyone reacted quickly to help avoid injury."
"I could not be more proud of our people for the whole situation," exclaimed Area Construction Manager Tim Gorman. "In our recent safety refresher training we discussed the need to be constantly aware of our surroundings and emergency procedures."
Langley, Kevin Norrod, Tim Gorman, Foreman John Adams, Traffic Control Greg Kelly
West bound view with bridge in background that was blocked with milling operation
Donnell Miller
Lyndell Goines
Wade Hill
John Adams
Ron Rowe
Kevin Norrod
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