Honda Pilot struck tree after leaving roadway in Cocke County
May 10, 2026 | Cocke, TN
A 19-year-old passenger died in a single-vehicle crash after the driver fled Newport police on Highway 73 early Sunday morning.
What happened in the crash?
James W. Gossett, 19, died after a Honda Pilot fleeing police left the roadway and struck a tree on Highway 73 in Cocke County.
According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, the wreck occurred around 2 a.m. in the 1400 block of Highway 73. A 17-year-old driver lost control of a 2011 Honda Pilot while fleeing officers. The SUV left the roadway and struck a tree.
- Date and time: Early Sunday morning, May 10, approximately 2 a.m.
- Location: 1400 block of Highway 73, Cocke County
- Vehicle: 2011 Honda Pilot
- Involved agencies: Newport Police and Tennessee Highway Patrol
- Outcome: One fatality, and the driver suffered life-threatening injuries and was airlifted to a hospital. Charges remain pending.
Why do these accidents happen?
High-speed pursuits increase the risk of loss of control, especially on rural roads. The investigation continues to determine the exact contributing factors.
Key national crash statistics
| Source | Annual U.S. Motor Vehicle Deaths | Annual Injuries | Primary Focus Area |
|---|
| CDC | About 36,000 | 1.9 million | Overall crash impact |
| Federal Highway Administration | About 36,000 | 1.9 million | Roadway and speed-related crashes |
Legal Insights
In cases such as this, families benefit from prompt preservation of evidence. An independent review can include re-interviewing witnesses, examining any available video, and obtaining relevant phone records.
"Time is of the essence in cases such as this, and the victim's family must ensure that evidence is reviewed efficiently," said Candice Bond, managing partner with Bond Legal. "An accident reconstruction team is sometimes needed to help piece together what happened."
"We understand that losing a loved one is not only a deeply emotional loss but also an economic one," said Stefano Formica, of counsel with Bond Legal. "If you have lost a loved one due to someone else's negligence, contact a wrongful death attorney and get the guidance needed to obtain the justice you deserve."
Key takeaways:
- Swift action helps protect potential claims for loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.
- Legal guidance can clarify options during an overwhelming time.
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If you or a family member has been affected by a similar incident, national legal analyst Candice Bond is available for a free consultation. Use the contact information provided on this page.
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).
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