Late Saturday evening in Chattanooga, what should have been a normal night ended in heartbreak for the family and friends of 61-year-old Joe Carter, who died after being struck by two vehicles in a hit-and-run crash on Rossville Boulevard. The series of collisions unfolded just after 6:30 p.m. on December 13, 2025, setting off a frantic investigation by Chattanooga police and leaving a community stunned.
Carter, who was traveling in his motorized wheelchair, was first hit by a green SUV, described in police reports as a Chevy Suburban. The force of that impact threw him into the path of another vehicle — a silver SUV — which then struck him again. Neither driver stopped; both fled before first responders arrived.
Witnesses near the scene, close to 3710 Rossville Boulevard, told local reporters that they had been in a nearby bar when the first crash occurred. Patrons heard the sound of a hit and rushed outside to help, but as some tried to slow traffic, the second vehicle sped through without braking. No squeal of tires, no attempt at stopping — just silence and shock.
Emergency crews transported Carter to a local hospital, where doctors fought to save his life. Despite their efforts, he succumbed to his injuries later that night. The Chattanooga Police Department’s Traffic and DUI Unit has taken the lead on the case, pulling together roadway evidence and reviewing nearby surveillance footage in the hope of identifying the vehicles involved.
Police have confirmed that the investigation is ongoing. Officers believe the first vehicle is a green full-sized SUV, and the second was another sport utility-style vehicle, but they’re urging locals to check their security cameras and dashcam footage from that evening in case it holds clues. You can also contact Chattanooga Police if you saw either vehicle or noticed suspicious damage to a car around the time of the crash.
The tragedy has highlighted a broader concern: the vulnerability of pedestrians, especially those using mobility devices, on busy thoroughfares like Rossville Boulevard. With no arrests yet announced, police have reminded the public that leaving the scene of a collision that results in serious injury or death is a criminal offense — and that stopping to help is both a legal duty and a moral one.
As the Chattanooga community mourns, Carter’s passing serves as a stark reminder of how quickly life can change and how important it is for drivers to remain vigilant, especially in areas where people may be walking or rolling along the road. Police continue to ask anyone with information to come forward and help bring justice for Joe Carter and his loved ones.
