According to Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper John Cochran, John Shelton Jr., John Shelton Sr. and Barry Culpepper had been driving in the mountains along Highway 315 when their truck ran off the roadway. The younger Shelton was apparently struck by the vehicle as the three men attempted to get it back on the roadway.
After getting the truck operable, Shelton Jr. was placed in the bed of the truck. As the three traveled “away from a hospital,” according to Cochran and witness statements he had gathered, the truck left the roadway again and flipped, ejecting John Shelton Jr.
Emergency Medical responders requested that Air Evac Lifeteam land near the scene of the vehicle crash.
Officials then loaded John Shelton Jr. into the medical helicopter and as the chopper lifted off the ground, it struck the power lines. The pilot set the aircraft back onto the ground. No one was injured during the incident, according to Cochran.
Cochran said today that LifeStar from U.T. Medical Center and LifeForce from Erlanger Medical Center helicopters responded to take both Sheltons and Culpepper to EMC for treatment.
Investigations into both the “hard landing” and vehicle crash are ongoing.
Cochran said there was indication of alleged alcohol use which may have contributed to the vehicle crash.
Charges may be pending against Culpepper, who was reportedly driving the vehicle at the time of the crash.
