Rep. David Hawk cited after allegedly leaving scene of an accident
GREENEVILLE, Tenn. (WJHL) — State Rep. David Hawk was cited after allegedly leaving the scene of an accident on May 11.
According to a report from the Greeneville Police Department (GPD), an officer responded to a crash at the General Morgan Inn regarding a hit-and-run parking lot crash that happened during the night on May 10.
Upon arrival, the vehicle’s owner told police he noticed his vehicle had been hit sometime during the night.
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Surveillance footage of the incident reportedly showed Hawk getting into a silver SUV. As he was backing out, the front bumper hit the back bumper of the other vehicle. Hawk then left the scene, the report stated.
On May 12, Hawk went to the police department and told police he thought something was under his vehicle as he backed out. He reportedly told police he had gotten out to look and did not think he hit anything due to damage being there from a previous incident, the GPD reported.
Hawk was issued a citation for leaving the scene of an accident.
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Hawk provided the statement below to News Channel 11:
On Sunday afternoon, May 12, 2024, I received an email from a gentleman who suggested that I had clipped the rear of his son’s car, as I was leaving a private parking lot space, two days earlier.
Upon reading his email, I quickly sought a phone number for the gentleman. I found a number and called him to ask what was going on. He described the situation to me, and I expressed that I had no idea that any contact had occurred in the parking lot. I immediately shared my insurance information with him and assured him that I would make right, any damage that may have occurred.
The gentleman mentioned that he had filed a report with the Greeneville Police Department, so I went to the GPD office at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 12, 2024, as well. I shared what I knew with them, and was issued a ticket for $150. I paid the $150 ticket on the next business day, Monday, May 13, 2024. I understand this to be typical of any private parking lot “fender bender” of this nature.
What is not typical is that a minor “fender bender”, in a private parking lot, becomes news. But, I can imagine that this story becomes news because I am a state representative. I can also imagine that this story becomes news because I have been very bold in recent media statements, and have shared that an individual in Northeast Tennessee has promised to “smear my name”.
Please know that this was a misunderstanding that I sought to make right as soon as possible.
Rep. David Hawk
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