City police officer involved in two-vehicle crash on Hwy 111

At approximately 9:05 a.m., July 16, 2020, a Sparta police officer was involved in a motor vehicle crash at the intersection of Walker Cove Road and Highway 111.

According to the traffic crash report, Patrolman Jared Denton, 28, was attempting to cross Highway 111 as he headed west on Walker Cove Road in his patrol car when he struck the left side of a 2014 Mazda being driven by Susan Wikete, 32, of Cookeville. Wikete’s car came to a controlled stop on the shoulder of the road, while Denton’s patrol car stopped near the area of impact. Both vehicles received significant damage, however neither driver was seriously injured, according to the report.

Wikete was uninjured, while it was suspected that Denton might have suffered minor injuries and was transported to Highlands Medical Center, in Sparta, but was later released.

“Officer [Denton] is doing fine,” Police Chief Doug Goff said. “He was treated and released from Highlands Medical Center. He returned to work approximately three hours later.”

According to the investigation and subsequent report by Tennessee Highway Trooper William Morgan, the cause of the crash was Denton’s failure to yield.