Hendersonville TN Police officer killed after being hit by car
Hendersonville TN December 31 2019 A Hendersonville Police officer was killed Monday night after being hit by a vehicle while chasing a suspect across I-65, investigators confirmed.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol identified the deceased officer as 31-year-old Hendersonville Police Officer Spencer Bristol. He leaves behind his wife, Lauren, their 3-year-old daughter, and his parents.
Troopers were alerted to a crash at 7:45 p.m. that happened on I-65 southbound by the Vietnam Vets Pkwy. entrance ramp at mile marker 95 near Rivergate Mall.
The crash followed a chase that started in Hendersonville and weaved into the Goodlettsville area.
Officer Bristol was in pursuit of a vehicle being driven by 19-year-old Kevin Jordan.
The teen was taken into custody shortly after the vehicle crashed. Officials say a passenger in the vehicle ran away from the scene and remains at large.
That’s when the THP says Officer Bristol chased the passenger across I-65 southbound and was hit by incoming traffic. The woman that hit the officer pulled over and seems “distraught” by what happened, troopers tell FOX 17 News.
Officer Bristol was immediately rushed to Skyline Medical Center, where he passed away.
Hendersonville Police said multiple law enforcement agencies came together to help them as the investigation unfolded.
The police department is still in talks with District Attorney Ray Whitley, but announced that Jordan faces charges of felony evading, reckless endangerment and other traffic related offenses.
Authorities arrested another man near Hooter’s on suspicion he was the passenger in the crashed vehicle, but later determined the passenger is still at large.
Officer Bristol got his start with the Hendersonville Police Department in September of 2015. Chief Mickey Miller says Bristol loved being an officer.
During his more than four years with the department, Bristol served on the Flex team and most recently on the patrol unit.
“Spencer Bristol was an example of what an officer should be. He loved his job and this police department grieves with his family over the loss of our brother,” choking up, Chief Miller said at a Monday night news conference.
Officer Bristol also served his country as a Navy veteran from 2007-2012.
Before the loss of Officer Bristol, it had been nearly 20 years since the Hendersonville Police Department lost an officer in the line of duty. “This was too soon,” Chief Miller said.
The police department said the support of the Hendersonville community and Middle Tennessee will mean more to them than ever over the coming days and weeks.
As the investigation continues, I-65 southbound is expected to remain closed until 2 a.m.
