Last night, just before 6:30 p.m., a large emergency response involving multiple law enforcement vehicles, fire trucks, and an ambulance was observed on Highway 70 directly across from the Rockwood Golf Course entrance. Initial social media reports suggested a major car accident, but upon arriving at the scene, a Rockwood police officer clarified that an 87-year-old man had suffered an apparent heart attack while driving his pickup truck. The vehicle veered onto the shoulder, rubbed along the guardrail, and came to a stop. The driver was found unresponsive, and CPR was being performed when first responders arrived.

West Roane County Fire Department units initially responded, believing the location fell within their jurisdiction, but it was later determined to be in the Rockwood Fire Department’s response area, which explained the heavy presence of emergency equipment. Several Rockwood police cars, a Roane County sheriff’s vehicle, a Tennessee Highway Patrol cruiser, and Rockwood Fire apparatus were all on scene.

The 87-year-old man was transported to the hospital, where he later died as a result of the medical episode. No other vehicles were involved, and there was no significant crash—the pickup truck sustained only minor damage after sliding into the guardrail as the driver lost consciousness.