Green Chevrolet Suburban hits wheelchair user in Chattanooga
December 13, 2025 | Chattanooga, TN
A 61-year-old man using a motorized wheelchair lost his life after being struck by two vehicles in a hit-and-run crash on Rossville Boulevard in Chattanooga.
Joe Carter, 61, died after he was struck in a hit-and-run pedestrian crash while crossing Rossville Boulevard in a motorized wheelchair in Chattanooga.
What Happened in the Crash?
Joe Carter was crossing the boulevard in his motorized wheelchair around 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 13 when a green Chevrolet Suburban hit him and the driver fled. Moments later, a silver SUV struck him, and that driver also left the scene. Carter received emergency transport to a local hospital but succumbed to his injuries.
- Victim: Joe Carter, 61
- Location: Rossville Boulevard, Chattanooga, Tennessee
- Time: Approximately 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 13, 2025
- Vehicles Involved: Green Chevrolet Suburban and silver SUV
- Status of Drivers: Both remain at large
- Investigation: Ongoing by Chattanooga Police Department
Why Do Hit-and-Run Incidents Occur?
Hit-and-run crashes often stem from drivers fearing legal consequences, such as intoxication, unlicensed operation, or outstanding warrants. These incidents leave victims without immediate aid and complicate investigations.
Motorists are legally obligated to stop after any collision, provide information, and assist the injured. Fleeing the scene not only endangers lives but also invites severe penalties.
Pedestrian and Wheelchair User Safety Statistics
Wheelchair users face heightened risks on roadways. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), mobility impairments affect millions, increasing vulnerability in traffic.
Statistic |
Value |
Source |
|---|
Annual wheelchair-involved crashes in the U.S. |
About 100,000 |
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) |
Pedestrian fatalities in 2024 |
7,148 nationwide |
Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) |
Pedestrian deaths in Tennessee, 2024 |
173 |
GHSA |
Hit-and-run crashes per minute on U.S. roads |
More than 1 |
NHTSA |
These figures underscore the urgent need for better enforcement and awareness.
Legal Insights
National legal analysts emphasize the importance of thorough investigations in hit-and-run cases to establish fault and secure compensation.
“In cases such as this, conducting an independent investigation right away is crucial to safeguard victims' rights,” said Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal. “Factors like road conditions, visibility of signs, and lighting must be examined to demonstrate negligence and pursue deserved justice.”
- Hit-and-run investigations require specialized resources to identify fleeing drivers.
- Victims' families may pursue claims for lost income, emotional distress, and medical costs.
- Yielding to pedestrians, including those in wheelchairs, is a driver's primary duty.
- Attorneys help counter lowball insurance offers to ensure fair settlements.
“Families enduring such losses can seek remedies for companionship, suffering, and burial expenses,” noted Stefano Formica, of counsel at Bond Legal. “Professional guidance protects rights during grief and pressures insurers for equitable outcomes.”
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If you’ve been injured or lost a loved one in a hit-and-run, national legal analyst Candice Bond is available for a free, no-obligation consultation.
(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).