Chattanooga Police said a 21-year-old woman's vehicle went out of control Friday morning on westbound Interstate 24, causing a multiple-vehicle wreck that claimed the life of James "Jimbo" Morgan, 61, the owner of Morgan Motors.
The crash also clogged traffic on the freeway and nearby side streets for hours.
The incident happened near Rossville Boulevard. Witness statements and evidence indicated that a Chrysler Concord driven by Ariel Campbell was traveling westbound on I-24. Ms. Campbell lost control and struck the center concrete barrier causing a chain reaction of crashes.
Witnesses said she had her emergency lights on and was swerving in and out of traffic at a very high rate of speed.
A Chevy S-10 driven by Mr. Morgan swerved to avoid the other vehicles when his truck slid sideways and rolled over multiple times. Mr. Morgan was ejected from his vehicle and later succumbed to his injuries.
Ms. Campbell, of Ringgold, was in stable condition.
Investigators with the Chattanooga Police Department’s Traffic Unit said charges may be filed pending the outcome of the investigation.
Mr. Morgan was a graduate of City High School and attended UTC. He began selling cars in 1972.
Surviving are his two daughters, Dr. Mary Morgan-Kelley and husband Danny, and Kim Heatherly and husband Mark; granddaughter, Alexandria Kelley; brother, George “Bobo” Morgan; sister, Sharon Olinger; and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. on Sunday at the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. on Monday at the funeral home with Rev. Wayland Stewart officiating. Pallbearers will be Tony Touchstone, Eddie Wright, Charlie Gray, John Manning, John Morgan and Wayne Cuzzort.
Burial will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to McKamey Animal Shelter, 4500 N Access Road, Chattanooga, TN 37415.