S

One man is dead and another seriously injured after they were struck by tractor trailer while they were reportedly fighting in the road on Hillsboro Highway this past week.

Dead is Timothy Sullivan, 60. The other man, James Rowland, 68, was transported to Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga suffering serious injuries.

According to the Highway Patrol, the fatal accident happened Monday evening around 9:24 p.m. on Highway 41 in Coffee County near 3261 Hillsboro Highway near Just One More Bar & Grill. The investigator found that Dobromir Nikolov, 36, of Illinois was traveling westbound on Hillsboro Highway, driving a Freightliner tractor trailer when he came upon the men fighting in the road. The incident happened after dark, giving the trucker little time for reaction when he encountered the brawling men in his path.

“He was unable to stop before striking both pedestrians,” the investigator said, noting the truck driver is not facing charges but Rowland may have charges pending once the investigation is complete.

The report did not reveal why investigators believe the men were fighting on the heavily traveled stretch of roadway.