LOUDON COUNTY, Tenn. (WVLT) - A Loudon County Sheriff’s Office deputy was killed in a crash that occurred early Thursday morning on I-75 North.

Officials responded to a 911 call of a crash near mile marker 74 at the Tennessee River Bridge just after 8:00 a.m. Once on the scene, it was discovered that a deputy, Sgt. Chris Jenkins, had been hit by a vehicle and killed.

According to Loudon County officials, Sgt. Jenkins responded to the area to remove a ladder from the roadway that was blocking traffic. Once there, he conducted a rolling roadblock to attempt to slow vehicles behind him and got out of his car.

While in the roadway, a tractor-trailer reportedly did not slow down and struck two other cars, the cruiser and Sgt. Jenkins. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

A witness reportedly told investigators that they saw a white utility van with an unsecured orange ladder on the back of it. It is believed by officials that the ladder Sgt. Jenkins removed from I-75 came from the van. It reportedly got off the interstate at exit 76.

All northbound lanes are expected to remain closed for multiple hours while investigators clear the area. While shut down, traffic will be diverted at exit 72.

Several agencies are mourning the loss of the long-time deputy.

“Our prayers are with the Loudon County Sheriff’s Office and family, as well as the Loudon community this morning,” the Roane County Sheriff’s Office posted on Facebook.

“Prayer warriors, we are asking for you to pray for the Loudon County Sheriff’s Office,” Anderson County Sheriff’s Office stated. “Pray for God’s comfort and peace to cover the department.”

“This morning, our thoughts and prayers are with the men and women of the Loudon County Sheriff’s Office and the entire Loudon County community,” the Knoxville Police Department tweeted.

“Sheriff Tom Spangler is asking everyone to remember our blue family at the Loudon County Sheriff’s Office in your thoughts and prayers!” the Knox County Sheriff’s Office tweeted.

“Please say a prayer for the entire LCSO family in this horrible loss,” Rep. Tim Burchett posted.

The last time an LCSO deputy was killed in the line of duty was over 15 years ago. Deputy Jason Scott was shot and killed on March 12, 2004.
 

Officials with the Tennessee Highway Patrol are leading the investigation. The DA said charges are pending the results.

If you have any information regarding the white utility van or crash, please contact CID Tim Southerland at (865)594-5800.