Chattanooga — When Joe Carter pushed forward on Rossville Boulevard that Saturday evening, no one could have predicted it would be his last journey. At around 6:30 p.m. on December 13, the 61‑year‑old Chattanooga resident, riding in his motorized wheelchair, was struck by a green Chevrolet Suburban. Before help could reach him, a second vehicle — a silver SUV — hit him again, compounding the tragedy. Both drivers fled, leaving neighbors and loved ones stunned and heartbroken.
Carter was conscious and moving along one of Chattanooga’s busiest stretches when the first impact occurred, police say. Rossville Boulevard, a well‑traveled thoroughfare lined with restaurants and bars, was bustling with evening traffic and pedestrians when witnesses heard a sudden crash and saw Carter thrown from his wheelchair.
Bystanders rushed to his side, some thinking the sound was a loud fender‑bender. Within moments, a second vehicle sped through, striking Carter again before disappearing into the gathering dusk. Witnesses later told authorities there were no screeching tires or obvious attempts by either driver to slow down, deepening community outrage at the apparent disregard for human life.
First responders arrived swiftly. Chattanooga Police and EMS transported Carter to a local hospital, where medical staff worked urgently to save him. Hours later, surrounded by phone calls from friends and concerned family members, he succumbed to injuries that were far too severe.
For many who knew him, Joe Carter was more than a name in a police report. He was a familiar face around the neighborhood — someone who waved at passersby, chatted with staff at the nearby bar he often visited earlier that evening, and carried a quiet resilience that defined his life. Friends and patrons spoke of him as someone who deserved dignity and care, not anonymity in a cold police blotter.
The Chattanooga Police Department’s Traffic and DUI Unit has taken the lead in the investigation, urging anyone who saw the vehicles or has footage from the area to come forward. Both the green Suburban and the silver SUV remain unaccounted for, and officers stress that even small details — a partial tag, minor damage to a vehicle’s bumper — could crack the case.
Since the incident, community members have rallied in quiet vigils and online discussions, sharing memories of Carter and demanding justice. Neighbors say safety on Rossville Boulevard must be taken seriously, especially for those most vulnerable. In a city that prides itself on neighborly care, the loss of Joe Carter has become a poignant reminder: every life matters, and every moment counts.
The post Joe Carter Killed in Hit‑and‑Run on Rossville Boulevard: Community Mourns Man in Motorized Wheelchair appeared first on Tripplenews.
