Four emergency responders struck by vehicle on I-26 while loading patient into ambulance

# What happened Late Monday night, Kingsport firefighters and Sullivan County EMS were working a crash on westbound Interstate 26 when a secondary crash occurred behind the original scene. While responders were loading a patient into an ambulance, a westbound vehicle struck three Kingsport firefighters and one Sullivan County EMS EMT.

# Immediate response and medical care All four injured responders were transported to Johnson City Medical Center for evaluation and treatment. According to the Kingsport Fire Department, two of the responders were treated and released the next day. Two remained hospitalized Tuesday morning with injuries described by the department as non-life-threatening.

# Location and timing

• Location: westbound I-26 near Exit 6 (Rock Springs Road exit), Kingsport, Tennessee.
• Approximate time: about 10:00 p.m. on Monday night, as reported by the Kingsport Fire Department.

# Official statements and safety message Kingsport Fire Chief Jerry DeBerry commented on the incident and used it to remind motorists about the dangers emergency personnel face when working along roadways. The department urged drivers to slow down, move over, and remain alert when approaching emergency scenes.

# Why this matters to drivers and responders Working crash scenes on high-speed roadways creates a predictable exposure to moving traffic. Secondary collisions behind an active incident are a known hazard: they can injure responders who are focused on patient care and scene management. The Kingsport incident resulted in multiple responders being hospitalized, showing that even when crews follow protocols, the behavior of passing motorists can cause serious harm.

# What is known and what is not

Not provided in the reporting: detailed medical conditions beyond "non-life-threatening" for those hospitalized, the identity of the driver or occupants of the striking vehicle, any traffic citations or criminal charges, and the condition of the original crash patient.

# Practical takeaways for drivers

• Slow down when approaching any emergency scene. Reduced speed gives drivers more time to see responders and changes in traffic patterns.

• Maintain attention and avoid distractions when passing crash scenes, especially at night when visibility is lower.

# Follow-up coverage to watch for

# Bottom line