Knoxville, TN (WOKI) He pled guilty to vehicular homicide by intoxication among other charges; now, the man accused of killing the son of the University of Tennessee’s swim coach, is headed to prison.
Knox County Courts announcing Tuesday that Shannon Walker has been sentenced to eight years in prison in the death of 24-year-old Ben Kredich with an additional eight years of supervised probation upon his release.
According to the Knoxville Police Department, Walker was driving on Kingston Pike just west of Concord around 4:00 p.m. in August of 2023 when he crossed several lines of traffic, hitting Kredich.
Prior to the crash, Walker had reportedly been taken to Parkwest Medical Center after receiving Narcan. He was discharged from the hospital about an hour before the crash.
In total, Walker pled guilty to vehicular homicide by intoxication, four counts of reckless endangerment, and possession with intent to sell fentanyl. In addition, he is prohibited from having a driver’s license while on probation.
According to KPD, Shannon Walker was driving on Kingston Pike just west of Concord around 4 p.m. in August of 2023 when he crossed several lines of traffic, hitting Ben Kredich.(Courtesy: KPD)
Gatlinburg, TN (WOKI) Lightning from a recent summer storm is to blame for the Flint Gap Fire burning in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Park fire officials and fire investigators making that announcement Tuesday say the exact date of the lightning strike is unknown, but the fire burning near Hannah Mountain was reported to the park on August 26 and is currently 17 acres in size.
The park says there is low potential for significant growth over the next few days due to the current high humidity, lack of strong winds, and shaded terrain.
Park officials add that lightning caused wildfires are relatively rare in the Smokies with most occurring during the month of August.
Currently, the park says there are ground crews and a “Type 3” helicopter working on the fire. Crews are monitoring fire activity and working to identify areas where they can safely confine and contain the fire. No structures are threatened.
As of Tuesday, the park said Parson Branch Road and some park trails and backcountry campsites are closed due to the potential fire danger.
GSMNP officials advise checking the park website for road closures and other updates before visiting the park.
Photo 2 of tree struck by lightning near Hannah Mountain. (Courtesy: GSMNP)
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Following another successful season opener under head coach Josh Heupel, No. 15/15 Tennessee was back to work on Monday morning as it begins prepping for a ranked matchup against No. 24/22 NC State in the Duke’s Mayo Classic on Saturday night in Charlotte.
The Vols opened their 2024 campaign with an emphatic 69-3 victory over in-state foe Chattanooga but know this weekend’s opponent will present a steep challenge and will require a locked-in mentality throughout the week and on gameday.
“We have a big football game this week,” Heupel said during his Monday press conference. “Really good opponent that we are playing. They play all three phases of the game really well together.
“Defensively, they’ve been really good. It will be a great test for us up front, on the perimeter and at quarterback. Offensively, they have a really experienced quarterback. They have great playmakers around him. Their special teams are really good too. Huge test for us this week. It’s one we’re excited about, travelling a few hours down the road. Looking forward to seeing Vol Nation show up. It will be a great contest.”
Heupel made it clear on Monday that learning from last Saturday’s victory and finding areas of improvement will be important for the team in order to continue improving each and every week.
“Everybody faces the same challenge,” Heupel said. As a competitor, you can live in what everybody is talking about last week, but the reality is that you’re only as good as your next performance. Prepare, practice the right way and get ready to go play.”
Redshirt senior safety Will Brooks added to Heupel’s point when asked what the defense could improve upon from week one.
“There is obviously always something to improve on,” Brooks said. “Our coaches do a great job of finding our weaknesses, pointing those out to us and just making sure we are continuously improving throughout the season so we are getting better each week.”
The Vols and Wolfpack will square off 7:30 p.m. Saturday night at Bank of America Stadium on ABC with Rece Davis, Kirk Herbstreit and Holly Rowe on the call.
Videos and quotes from Monday’s availability with Heupel and select players can be seen below.
Opening statement… “Good start this past weekend. Appreciate our fans, they did an awesome job. Players were in this morning and got an opportunity to learn from the film. We have a big football game this week. Really good opponent that we are playing. They play all three phases of the game really well together. Defensively, they’ve been really good. It will be a great test for us up front, on the perimeter and at quarterback. Offensively, they have a really experienced quarterback; they have great playmakers around him. Their special teams are really good, too. Huge test for us this week. It’s one we’re excited about, traveling a few hours down the road. Looking forward to seeing Vol Nation show up. It will be a great contest.”
On what wide receiver Kevin Concepcion does well for NC State… “First of all, he has elite speed, really good hands, and he makes plays on special teams. On the offensive side of the ball, they do a really good job of moving around and finding space for him to work and operate. He’s strong and explosive. We have to know where he is throughout the course of the football game.”
On the emphasis they put on being more effective over the middle of the field on offense… “It’s been a part of our offense. Last year, we weren’t as efficient in the middle of the field as we wanted to be. Had a good start to it this past week. There are a lot of things within the structure of what we’re doing offensively that we could be better at, too. The guys have had an opportunity to watch it with their coaches today, and we have to make improvements. This is a good football team we’re getting ready to go play.”
On what he liked about Nico Iamaleava’s vision on when connecting with receivers… “I thought he was extremely accurate and had his eyes in the right spot. Did a really good job of hitting windows; that’s in-between defenders at the second level and over-under balls between the second and third level.”
On what it means for Nico Iamaleava to earn SEC Freshman of the Week honors… “It means that he played well in Week 1 and had an opportunity to grow, learn from the tape today and get ready for a really good football team this week. Young quarterback who is going to continue to get better. Great test this week that we have coming up in NC State.”
On what it was like to finally see the defensive line depth in action… “A bunch of guys that played up front will continue to rotate as we go. I thought they all played extremely hard. Did a good job disrupting blocks. There are some things we have to get better at, but effort and technique for the most part was really good. One of the strengths of that unit is the ability to play multiple guys so you are fresh upfront. I thought our second level did a really nice job playing physically and playing downhill too.”
On if he was surprised on how the running backs were able to be physical, despite previous health issues… “I wasn’t surprised by the way they ran the football. Each of them has a different story as far as their progress physically. A couple of guys had offseason surgery, but throughout the course of training camp, they worked themselves back into playing football in playing shape. I felt like they were executing those things that we wanted them to fundamentally at the end of the runs. There are some things they have a chance to grow from here watching the film, but excited about the way that group played as a whole.”
On how he felt about the tight ends, particularly Ethan Davis… “Ethan made some nice plays out in space. I thought the other guys did a really good job out in space as well. All three of them played solid in the core, in the run game, and a couple times they were in protections as well. Like that group, we have to continue to grow and get better this week.”
On Nico Iamaleava’s Week 1 to Week 2 progression and a challenge that a quarterback faces in that second game… “Everybody faces the same challenge. As a competitor, you can live in what everybody is talking about last week, but the reality is that you’re only as good as your next performance. Prepare, practice the right way and get ready to go play.”
On what makes NC State so impressive in the secondary… “They have some transfers that they brought in. All three levels of their defense playing together is a big part of the picks and their zone coverage dropping out, making the windows tough. In their pressure, applying pressure to the quarterback, getting home and making it uncomfortable for him.”
On his evaluation of the starting offensive line… “I thought they played really solid. We rotated some early in the football game. Some things that all of them can do better fundamentally, but all-in-all, thought it was a solid performance.”
On Lance Heard’s first game and his adjustment to the tempo of the offense… “I thought he was really comfortable in what we were doing within the tempo of our offense. He performed really well. I thought he played extremely well.”
On the status of DB Rickey Gibson III… “We held a couple of guys on game day, you might have seen them warm up. End of the day, he’ll be ready to roll this week. I just felt like for our football team and the longevity, there were a couple of guys we held out that could’ve played in that one, but we’ll hold them for this week.”
On if he thinks the offensive and defensive lines are the deepest since he’s been at Tennessee… “Yeah, for sure. I think I’ve said it before, but as we’ve had to navigate our roster, build our roster back from when I first got here while taking some deductions, this is certainly the deepest that we’ve been, and we’re close to being at full strength. We’re not quite there yet, but this will be the last year that we’re a little bit thin. As a whole, the development, the body types and athleticism that we have is definitely the deepest that we’ve been.”
On redshirt freshman placekicker Max Gilbert… “I feel really good with him. Really strong leg. I like his competitive makeup, very confident and comfortable no matter what situation we’ve put him in. Obviously game day is a different deal, but really solid. He’s got a smooth swing, he’s consistent, and I trust him.”
On getting the start on defense… “It was a great experience. The atmosphere was incredible. It was super exciting to be able to get out there, start the game and get the season started off fast which was really nice.”
On finding things on film to improve on even after a comprehensive win… “There is obviously always something to improve on. Our coaches do a great job of finding our weaknesses, pointing those out to us and just making sure we are continuously improving throughout the season, so we are getting better each week.”
On Boo Carter’s urgency getting the quarterback… “He is obviously a really talented player. He is super dynamic. He has just been continuously improving all throughout camp. You all saw it in the first game how explosive and talented he is.”
On how it felt to score his first touchdown as a Vol… “It’s a great feeling. You wait for that moment your entire time when you’re playing offense here at Tennessee. Just being able to score that first touchdown in front of 102,000 is a dream come true. It was an amazing feeling.”
On what makes the tight end room at Tennessee so effective… “Honestly, just how we piggyback off of each other’s games. I feel like all three of us can do whatever we need to do, whatever our coaches ask from us. Whether that is blocking or being out in space, I feel like we are all more than willing to get in the core, bang up and hear those loud noises, but also go outside the core, work in space and make big explosive plays. I feel like the potential with our group this year is through the roof. There is no limit for us.”
On how important the timing with Nico Iamaleava was when he scored his first touchdown on Saturday… “It’s extremely important. Especially being in the red zone. You only have a very limited amount of time before the defensive line is at the quarterback. You have to be moving fast and be decisive with your decisions. He knew where I wanted the ball, and I knew where he was going to throw the ball. It was a good chemistry thing between us two.”
On observations of how Keenan Pili played… “Keenan played great, just like how I thought he would. He got 15 snaps and each one of those he was very disciplined, made a difference. Was at the point of attack almost every single play. It’s great to come in behind somebody like that who you can learn so much from.”
On what there is to clean up defensively… “Football is never going to be perfect, there’s always something that you can find. So even with the score the way it was, we’re still looking at the film and finding ways that we can perfect our game.”
On the energy in the locker room getting ready for the neutral site game… “We can’t wait. I know it’s the Duke’s Mayo Bowl, I’ve been watching that my whole life. Can’t wait to be a part of that. Just can’t wait to get together with the guys again and go play, it’s going to be fun.”
A Knoxville woman is charged with first-degree murder in connection to a shooting that happened at a Knox County apartment.
The Knox County Sheriff’s Office called to an apartment on Oak Valley Drive Sunday night for a shooting. They found a man with a gunshot wound, he was taken to the hospital and pronounced dead.
29-year-old Alexandria Pastor-Light admitted to shooting the victim in the face after making him take his clothes off in the bedroom.
She was taken into custody and charged. The investigation is still underway.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (UT Sports) — After a record-breaking display on Saturday against Chattanooga, the Southeastern Conference office announced Monday that Tennessee redshirt freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava was selected as SEC Co-Freshman of the Week.
Iamaleava, making his second career start and first in Neyland Stadium, set a Tennessee school record for passing yards in a half (314) to lead the No. 15 Vols to a 69-3 season-opening victory over the Mocs. The signal caller opened the game 10-of-10 for 159 yards and two touchdowns and finished 22-of-28 for 314 yards with three touchdowns and no picks — all in the first half as UT built a 45-0 lead at the break.
The first-half passing yards broke the previous program record of 313 set by Tyler Bray in the first half vs. Troy on Nov. 3, 2012. Iamaleava’s performance was the fourth 300-yard passing total in a half in Tennessee history.
Iamaleava was the first UT freshman – redshirt or true – to start at quarterback in a season opener since 2004. His 78.6 completion percentage was the sixth-best in the country for Week 1 and the best by any freshman in the nation.
The Long Beach, California, native is Tennessee’s first SEC Freshman of the Week honoree since running back Dylan Sampson was recognized on Nov. 28, 2022. During the Josh Heupel era (2021-present), Tennessee has compiled 31 SEC weekly honors — including four Freshman of the Week awards.
SEC Weekly Awards – Week 1
Co-Offensive Player of the Week Diego Pavia, QB, Vanderbilt Carson Beck, QB, Georgia
Defensive Player of the Week Keon Sabb, DB, Alabama
Co-Special Teams Player of the Week Peyton Woodring, PK, Georgia Tyler Keltner, PK, Oklahoma
Co-Offensive Lineman of the Week Cameron Williams, OT, Texas Fernando Carmona Jr., OL, Arkansas
Co-Defensive Lineman of the Week Kyle Kennard, DE, South Carolina Dylan Stewart, DE, South Carolina
Co-Freshman of the Week Nico Iamaleava, QB, Tennessee Ryan Williams, WR, Alabama
Tennessee Football – 2024 SEC Weekly Honors (1)
SEC Freshman of the Week (1) Nico Iamaleava (vs. Chattanooga, 8/31)
The Knoxville Fire Department is investigating a commercial fire in Fountain City.
Crews were called to a possible fire near Casey’s on Tazewell Pike yesterday (Monday) afternoon and found heavy smoke coming from the rear of the shopping center at the Retreat Massage and Skin Care Center.
Firefighters found a fire in a hallway space and quickly put it out. However, business has suffered moderate, fire, smoke, and water damage. Other businesses in the same building also suffered moderate smoke damage.
The business was closed at the time of the call and was not occupied.
The Knoxville Fire department is investigating a Labor Day house fire in East Knoxville.
Crews were called to the 4000 block of Catalpa Avenue yesterday morning and found heavy fire and smoke coming from two windows of the house. A fire was discovered in a bedroom and crews quickly put the fire out but the home has suffered significant smoke, water, and fire damage.
Four people, two adults and two children, were at home at the time of the fire and were able to escape without injury. Two adults and two children were in the home.
The American Red Cross is providing assistance to those residents.
Update: An arrest is made after Knoxville Police find a man in his bed with a pick-axe stuck in his skull.
KPD was called to a home in the 1000 block of Morrell Road on Sunday and found the victim who is in critical condition. Witnesses told police the suspect, Jeinison Hernandez-Moran, hit the victim multiple times with the axe, then fled but turned himself into police at the scene. It’s believed he knows the victim.
He is charged with attempted second-degree murder. The investigation remains active and ongoing.
Original Story: The Knoxville Police Department is investigating an assault in West Knoxville leaving a victim is in critical condition.
The assault happened at a home in the 1000 block of Morrell Road on Sunday and KPD says the victim was taken to the University of Tennessee Medical Center with life-threatening injuries.
Additionally, a suspect, later identified at Jeinson Hernandez-Moran, and several witnesses were detained for questioning.
Hernandez-Moran was charged with attempted second-degree murder.
KPD says the assault doesn’t appear to be random in nature as the victim and suspect, both of whom are adult men, knew each other.
Today (Sunday), Tennessee Highway Patrol Troopers S. Goode and S. Kearney assisted the Claiborne County Sheriff’s Office in apprehending Johnna Miracle. Miracle had been placed on the @TBInvestigation’s Most Wanted List for Attempted 1st Degree Murder.
This comes after a woman was shot and stabbed in the Shawanee Community Wednesday, who was taken to the hospital in critical condition.
Sheriff Bob Brooks says an arrest warrant was issued for Miracle for attempted first-degree murder, and on Friday, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation issued a TN Most Wanted Alert for her.
Miracle was arrested at a home near the intersection of Sunset Acres and Red Hill Road. Miracle, who Brooks said tried to change her appearance, was taken to Claiborne County Jail and charged with attempted first-degree murder.
The Claiborne Co. Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division is investigating the incident.
An investigation is underway after a paramedic is killed and another injured in a Jefferson County crash. The Tennessee Department of Transportation says it happened on I-40 West and that a tractor-trailer was also involved in the crash.
Brad Phillips, the Jefferson County EMS director, says the crash happened around 9:30 p.m. Saturday on I-40 near the I-81 interchange.
Phillips says the ambulance was responding to a report of a crash with injuries in the area when it was hit by the commercial vehicle.
A preliminary report by the Tennessee Highway Patrol says the ambulance was traveling southbound on I-81 and the tractor-trailer was on I-40 West as it merged with I-81.
The ambulance, which had its emergency lights on, turned in front of the tractor-trailer as it tried to access I-40 East at a small crossover, resulting in the crash, according to THP.
Phillips says the ambulance had two Jefferson County paramedics on board, Jeremy Sutton and Sarah Brooks, both of whom were injured and taken to the University of Tennessee Medical Center.
Sutton had “severe injuries” and died shortly after arriving at the hospital, Phillips said. He added that Brooks is still in the hospital in stable condition.
The preliminary report says neither Sutton nor Brooks were wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.
The driver of the commercial vehicle, a 67-year-old man from Georgia, was wearing a seatbelt and not injured.
THP is continuing to investigate the crash, and according to the preliminary report, possible charges against both drivers are pending the outcome of the ongoing investigation.
After the crash Saturday night, Jefferson County Mayor Mark Potts and several other agencies released statements regarding Sutton’s death.
Jefferson County mourns the loss of Paramedic Jeremy Sutton who passed away last night as a result of an ambulance accident while on duty. Our prayers and sympathy are extended to his family and to all our public safety employees.
Also, remember Paramedic Sarah Brooks who was also injured in the accident. We pray for Sarah and her family.
Thank you to all the public safety agencies who assisted last evening.
Posted on September 3, 2024 by rtravers • 0 Comments
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) He pled guilty to vehicular homicide by intoxication among other charges; now, the man accused of killing the son of the University of Tennessee’s swim coach, is headed to prison. Knox County Courts announcing Tuesday that Shannon Walker has been sentenced to eight years in prison in the death of 24-year-old Ben…… Continue Reading
Posted on September 3, 2024 by rtravers • 0 Comments
Gatlinburg, TN (WOKI) Lightning from a recent summer storm is to blame for the Flint Gap Fire burning in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Park fire officials and fire investigators making that announcement Tuesday say the exact date of the lightning strike is unknown, but the fire burning near Hannah Mountain was reported to…… Continue Reading
Posted on September 3, 2024 by Jim Kelly • 0 Comments
FootballSeptember 02, 2024 KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Following another successful season opener under head coach Josh Heupel, No. 15/15 Tennessee was back to work on Monday morning as it begins prepping for a ranked matchup against No. 24/22 NC State in the Duke’s Mayo Classic on Saturday night in Charlotte. The Vols opened their 2024 campaign with an…… Continue Reading
Posted on September 2, 2024 by rcadle • 0 Comments
A Knoxville woman is charged with first-degree murder in connection to a shooting that happened at a Knox County apartment. The Knox County Sheriff’s Office called to an apartment on Oak Valley Drive Sunday night for a shooting. They found a man with a gunshot wound, he was taken to the hospital and pronounced dead.…… Continue Reading
Posted on September 2, 2024 by rcadle • 0 Comments
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (UT Sports) — After a record-breaking display on Saturday against Chattanooga, the Southeastern Conference office announced Monday that Tennessee redshirt freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava was selected as SEC Co-Freshman of the Week. Iamaleava, making his second career start and first in Neyland Stadium, set a Tennessee school record for passing yards in a…… Continue Reading
Posted on September 2, 2024 by rcadle • 0 Comments
The Knoxville Fire Department is investigating a commercial fire in Fountain City. Crews were called to a possible fire near Casey’s on Tazewell Pike yesterday (Monday) afternoon and found heavy smoke coming from the rear of the shopping center at the Retreat Massage and Skin Care Center. Firefighters found a fire in a hallway space and…… Continue Reading
Posted on September 2, 2024 by rcadle • 0 Comments
The Knoxville Fire department is investigating a Labor Day house fire in East Knoxville. Crews were called to the 4000 block of Catalpa Avenue yesterday morning and found heavy fire and smoke coming from two windows of the house. A fire was discovered in a bedroom and crews quickly put the fire out but the…… Continue Reading
Posted on September 2, 2024 by rcadle • 0 Comments
Update: An arrest is made after Knoxville Police find a man in his bed with a pick-axe stuck in his skull. KPD was called to a home in the 1000 block of Morrell Road on Sunday and found the victim who is in critical condition. Witnesses told police the suspect, Jeinison Hernandez-Moran, hit the victim…… Continue Reading
Posted on September 2, 2024 by rcadle • 0 Comments
Today (Sunday), Tennessee Highway Patrol Troopers S. Goode and S. Kearney assisted the Claiborne County Sheriff’s Office in apprehending Johnna Miracle. Miracle had been placed on the @TBInvestigation’s Most Wanted List for Attempted 1st Degree Murder. This comes after a woman was shot and stabbed in the Shawanee Community Wednesday, who was taken to the…… Continue Reading
Posted on September 2, 2024 by rcadle • 0 Comments
An investigation is underway after a paramedic is killed and another injured in a Jefferson County crash.The Tennessee Department of Transportation says it happened on I-40 West and that a tractor-trailer was also involved in the crash. Brad Phillips, the Jefferson County EMS director, says the crash happened around 9:30 p.m. Saturday on I-40 near…… Continue Reading
