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James Waylon Gossett

Age : 18

Gender : Male

Race : White

Date : 05/11/2026

Location : Highway 73 near Wright Road

City : Newport

County : Cocke

State : Tennessee

Agency : Newport Police Department

Officer(s) :Not Disclosed

Cause of Death : Vehicle

Event : Passenger killed by police chase crash

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On 05/11/2026, officers with the Newport Police Department attempted to stop a 2011 Honda Pilot on Cosby Highway after police said the driver was speeding. Police said the 17 year old driver did not stop and accelerated away. Police chased the vehicle onto Interstate 40 and then onto Highway 73 at speeds reportedly exceeding 100 mph. According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, the vehicle lost control near Wright Road, slid off the roadway, and struck a tree, splitting in two. James Waylon Gossett, who was a passenger in the vehicle, died from his injuries. The driver was airlifted with critical injuries and charges are pending. Friends and family said Gossett was active in his church community and volunteered with the Centerview Volunteer Fire Department. He was scheduled to graduate days later.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.wvlt.tv/2026/05/12/both-families-are-broken-after-teen-killed-cocke-county-police-chase-crash/
https://www.wvlt.tv/2026/05/11/teen-driver-running-newport-police-crashes-car-killing-passenger-thp/
https://www.wbir.com/article/news/local/hamblen-jefferson-cocke-greene/teen-driver-fleeing-newport-police-hits-tree-killing-19-year-old-passenger/51-eee5a111-3403-4e84-af3e-0860b9a05519