http://www.tricities.com/tristate/tr...8-21-0028.html
THP trooper placed on administrative leave after teen dies in crash
Tuesday, Aug 21, 2007 - 10:01 PM
BY Nate Morabito
A cross marks the spot where 18 year-old Justin Thompson of Kingsport lost his life this weekend. Virginia State Police say the recent Sullivan North graduate slammed into a guardrail at the intersection of East Carters Valley Road and Wadlow Gap Highway in Scott County around three o'clock Sunday morning.
As a result of his death, the Tennessee Department of Safety has placed a Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper assigned to Sullivan County on administrative leave with pay. The state made the decision regarding Trooper Kyle Cantwell yesterday.
According to the state, Cantwell, a three-year employee, engaged in a high-speed pursuit of the motorcycle driven by Thompson shortly before the accident that led to his death. The pursuit reportedly began when Cantwell clocked Thompson driving 140 miles per hour on Interstate 81 South. Cantwell reported the motorcycle exited I-81 onto Highway 36 before taking John B. Dennis Highway and Bloomingdale Road into Virginia, the Department of Safety said. According to the state, a Scott County deputy saw the crash happen at the intersection of East Carters Valley Road and Wadlow Gap Highway.
Now, several agencies including THP, Virginia State Police, and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation are all investigating the accident.
Since Sunday, Thompson's family has visited the accident scene daily. As state troopers investigated the crash Tuesday, Jeff Thompson held a picture of his son close.
"He always smiled, he never gave nobody no trouble,"? Thompson said. "I don't know what to say. I wish it hadn't ever happened."?
Thompson admits his son didn't make the best choice Sunday morning, but he says neither did Trooper Cantwell.
"I think he should have called the chase off a long time ago, got his tag number, called the house and picked him up,"? he said.
Thompson believes the trooper chased his son on-and-off for almost a half hour through two states.
Investigators are now taking a closer look at the events leading up to the crash. Virginia State Police are reconstructing the crash scene and examining Thompson's motorcycle. Meanwhile, forensic experts with the TBI are assisting agents from THP's Criminal Investigation Division to examine Trooper Cantwell's patrol car.
Thompson hopes the investigation provides answers and justice for his family. Friday would have been Justin Thompson's 19th birthday. Instead, it will be his funeral.
"Just because somebody's speeding doesn't give them the right to run them into the ground and kill them,"? Thompson said.
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