COSBY-The Tennessee Highway Patrol is searching for the driver of a 1991 Infiniti that struck a Jeep Grand Cherokee head-on in a construction zone near Cosby High School Thursday afternoon.

      According to Trooper Eric Wise, Kenneth Rathbone, 46, Grandview Way, Newport, was driving the Infiniti south on Highway 321 and is believed to have been intoxicated when he struck the Jeep, driven by John Travis Witt, 30, Old Knoxville Highway, Newport. Witt's two-year-old son was a passenger in the vehicle.

      Rathbone, who had three passengers in the Infiniti, fled the scene on foot shortly before Dep. Andy Tritt and Constable McRee Whitten arrived on scene. Rathbone has a warrant for his arrest from Hickman County for failure to appear. In addition, Wise said Rathbone's driver's-license was suspended for fleeing law enforcement in a motor vehicle in Cocke County.

      Wise told the Plain Talk, "I believe he (Rathbone) was intoxicated. He was driving recklessly, hit the retainer wall and then the Cherokee head on." Wise also believes Rathbone was traveling at a high rate of speed.

      Everyone involved in the accident was transported to Baptist Hospital of Cocke County. Rathbone's passengers have been identified as Dustin Smith, 35, Evans Valley Road, Newport, Larry Ramsey, 43, Millican Road, Sevierville, and Lawrence Williams, 40, Evans Valley Road, Newport. Both Witt and his son were taken to the hospital as well.

      Allied E.M.S. EMTs Jimmy Roach, Dean Eschman, Nick Collins and Charles Gunter transported the wounded to BHCC's ER.

At press time, neither the THP nor the CCSD has apprehended Rathbone. After providing the names of Rathbone's passengers, Wise said, "All these guys are old enough to know better."