The Great Smoky Mountain Journal
Staff Reports
Posted: Sunday, January 21, 2018 11:20 AM
Two Suspects Named In Hit And Run Motocycle Incident That Hurt A 13-Year Old Girl
"I actually slept last night for the first time since Saturday," said Tanika Maples, the victim's mother.
According to GSMNP officials, a motorcyclist fled the crash scene after hitting and seriously injuring the 13-year-old pedestrian at a pulloff between the Townsend Wye and the Sinks along Little River Road.
Maples said the biker stuck around after the crash.
"He talked to me. He talked to my daughter," she said. "He patted her on the head and told her nothing was wrong with her."
The motorcyclist was reportedly traveling west on Little River Road at a high speed when he lost control of his motorcycle and struck the teen, who was standing near a parked vehicle at the pull-off. She was flown by Lifestar to UT Medical Center for treatment.
Investigators said the driver abandoned his wrecked cruiser and left the scene.
Officials urged any witnesses with images of the accident or who saw the two motorcycles traveling from Gatlinburg towards Townsend on Little River Road between 7:45 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Saturday to call investigators.
"It's critical if you were there and you saw something. Even if you aren't sure, if you call the investigators tip line, they're going to ask you a series of questions, that will help them decide whether or not you have information pertinent to the case," said Dana Soehn, spokesperson for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
HOW TO CONTACT INVESTIGATORS:
· Call the ISB Tip Line at 888-653-009
· Text to 202-379-4761
· Online at www.nps.gov/isb and click “Submit a Tip”
· Email nps_isb@nps.gov
· Message on Facebook @InvestigativeServicesNPS or Twitter @SpecialAgentNPS
