WHITE PINE, Tenn. – A White Pine man has been charged with attempted murder after a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle and left in the road on Tuesday afternoon.
According to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO), the incident occurred around 1 p.m. on Wheeler Road. Officers from the White Pine Police Department were the first to arrive on the scene, where they discovered a man lying in the roadway. Authorities determined that the car involved in the collision had fled the area, prompting a swift response from emergency services.
Jefferson County EMS and the White Pine Fire Department quickly arrived to treat the victim, who was in critical condition. UT Lifestar then transported the man to a nearby hospital. As of the latest update from deputies, the victim remains in critical but stable condition.
The investigation into the incident took a pivotal turn when evidence at the scene revealed that threatening statements had been made about the victim prior to the crash. This information led investigators to track down the vehicle involved and identify James Locklear, 51, as the suspect.
Locklear was located on Main Street in White Pine and arrested without incident. He was taken into custody and transported to the Jefferson County Detention Center, where he was charged with attempted murder.
Authorities continue to investigate the case as they work to uncover more details surrounding the motive for the attack. The victim’s identity has not been released at this time.
This incident remains under investigation by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.
