A 64-year-old truck driver was reportedly run down by a big rig in a Pilot Travel Center parking lot, and the driver who struck him fled from the scene.
Police investigators indicate Gary M. Clark of Prattville, Alabama, was inadvertently mowed down by another truck driver at a White Pine, Tennessee, Pilot. He had recently parked his semi and was walking across the lot at approximately 6:12 pm, according to reports.
“Gary M. Clark, age 64, of Prattville, Alabama, was found deceased in the parking lot of Pilot Travel Center. He parked his tractor-trailer in the trucking parking lot in the rear of Pilot Travel Center located on Roy Messer Hwy. He exited his truck and was walking toward the travel center near the fuel island when another tractor-trailer, running him over, was traveling through the parking lot and struck Mr. Clark,” according to a White Pines Police Department post on Facebook. “The truck driver parked his truck at the fuel island and went into the store for approximately twenty minutes. When he made it out to his truck, he was notified by other drivers that he may have possibly run over Mr. Clark. He got back into his truck and drove out of the parking lot.”
After the trucker who allegedly hit and killed Clark may have sped off down either I-81 or Route 341, which are connecting routes to the truck stop. Police were following a series of leads to identify the unknown hit-and-run driver. The intel includes surveillance footage and tips from people at the scene of the fatality. Samantha Chester, reportedly the daughter of the victim, posted a message on the police department’s Facebook page expressing the family’s sorrow and loss.
“Our hearts are shattered because our family has been ripped apart,” Chester reportedly stated. “We are asking that any and everyone who was there or anyone who might know something to share any and all information with the White Pine police; no matter how small or insignificant. … We just want justice for my Daddy.”
More than one hundred people posted messages expressing their condolences, support for truck drivers, and encouragement for police to bring the responsible party to justice.
“This is an active investigation, and we are working on several leads to identify the driver. Please keep Mr. Clark’s family and his company in your prayers,” White Pine Police posted.
Sources:
https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/nation-world/national/article284252733.html#storylink=cpy
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