KPD e-News Release: Motorcyclist Killed in Interstate Interchange Crash

Kingsport Police Department

David Quillin, Chief of Police

200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660

http://Police.KingsportTN.govwww.KingsportPDBlog.com

NEWS RELEASE
SUBJECT: Motorcyclist Killed in Interstate Interchange Crash
DATE: March 13, 2019
CASE #: 19-005345
GENERAL NARRATIVE
On March 13, 2019 at approximately 6:30 PM, Kingsport Police Department Patrol Officers responded to a motor vehicle collision at the interchange of Interstate 81 and Interstate 26 in Kingsport. Due to the seriousness of injuries involved, the K.P.D. Traffic Unit was called to the scene. Their subsequent investigation revealed the following:

A black 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse 2-door sedan, driven by Richard M. Estep, was northbound on Interstate 81 and attempting to merge to the right onto the exit ramp to westbound Interstate 26. Meanwhile a red 2010 Harley-Davidson Motorcycle, operated by Sammy P. Fanning, had exited eastbound Interstate 26 and was attempting to merge to the left onto the northbound lanes of Interstate 81 via the entrance ramp.

At some point while the two vehicles were merging, they came in contact with one another, causing the motorcycle to overturn. Mr. Fanning sustained critical injuries and was transported to a local medical facility where he later died. Mr. Estep was not injured as a result of the collision. Each of the two vehicles involved only sustained minor damage.

This crash remains under active investigation by the K.P.D. Traffic Unit. As such, no additional information is available for release at this time.

COLLISION VEHICLE #1 INFORMATION
Make Mitsubishi
Model Eclipse
Year 2006
Type 2-Door Coupe
Color Black
Damage Minor
Driver Name Richard M. Estep
Age 29 Years of Age
Gender/Race Male/White
Residency Church Hill, TN
Injuries No Injury
COLLISION VEHICLE #2 INFORMATION
Make Harley-Davidson
Model Motorcycle
Year 2010
Type Motorcycle
Color Red
Damage Minor
Operator Name Sammy P. Fanning
Age 46 Years of Age
Gender/Race Male/White
Residency Kingsport, TN
Injuries Fatal
RELEASING OFFICER
Thomas M. Patton, Public Information Officer

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

423-229-9433 (Desk) • 423-224-2786 (FAX)

ThomasMPatton

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