Two Pedestrians Hurt in Truck Crash on E Main St in Chattanooga, TN

Chattanooga, TN (October 20, 2026) – A white Chevy pickup truck hit two people in a crosswalk on Saturday, October 17, in Chattanooga's Southside. According to Chattanooga Police, the call came in at 9:20 p.m. on East Main Street.

Five people had entered the crosswalk when the truck, traveling westbound, came through. Three of them jumped out of the way. The other two were struck.

One of the two was seriously injured and needed immediate medical help and stabilization. The other had minor injuries. Both were taken to Erlanger Hospital.

Police said the driver was under the influence and failed a field sobriety test on the spot.

The investigation into this wreck remains ongoing. 

Our thoughts are with both people and their families as they recover.

Can Punitive Damages Apply When a Driver Was Impaired in Chattanooga, TN?

Yes, in some cases. Tennessee courts may award punitive damages when a driver acted recklessly, which can include driving while impaired, but the claimant must prove it by clear and convincing evidence. These damages are meant to punish dangerous conduct, and they are separate from compensation for medical bills, lost income, and pain.

Tennessee generally caps punitive awards at the greater of two times the compensatory damages or $500,000, though the cap generally does not apply when a defendant was under the influence. 

A civil claim also follows different rules than a criminal case, so what happens in one does not automatically decide the other. The way each claim is built depends heavily on the proof available.

In Chattanooga, proof of impairment can come from several places: field sobriety results, chemical test records, receipts from where a driver was drinking, bar surveillance video, and witness statements. Much of that material is held by other people and can be deleted or lost. 

In these cases, a pedestrian accident lawyer in Chattanooga can request records, send preservation letters, and explain Tennessee's filing deadline, which is generally one year and can limit options once it passes.

If you have questions about punitive damages after being involved in a pedestrian accident, our team at Fox & Farmer is here to help you clear them. We can review your case and walk you through the legal venues that may be open for you. 

You can call Fox & Farmer at 423-531-9400 to ask about your options and learn more about your possible next steps. 

Note: This post is based on information obtained from publicly available secondary sources. While we strive to ensure the accuracy of the information presented, Fox & Farmer has not independently verified all details of the incident reported. If you notice any inaccuracies or missing information, please contact Fox & Farmer so we can promptly review and update the content.

Disclaimer: The content of this post is provided for general informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as legal or medical advice. Reading this post does not create an attorney-client relationship with Fox & Farmer. If you have been injured in an accident, seek appropriate medical care and consult a qualified attorney regarding your legal options. Any images included are for illustrative purposes only and do not depict the actual accident scene or individuals involved.