Suspect arrested in fatal hit and run

Blount County, Tennessee – Blount County Sheriff James Berrong announced that deputies placed a Maryville man into custody today in connection with the hit and run of Mrs. Joyce Frey as she was riding her bicycle on Old Niles Ferry Road on June 25.

Deputies charged Harold E. McLemore, 86, of Gary Jarvis Drive, Maryville with leaving the scene of an accident that resulted in death – a Class E felony. Mr. McLemore was booked into the Blount County Correctional Facility and released on his own recognizance with his driving privileges revoked. He is scheduled to appear in Blount County General Sessions Court at 9 a.m. on July 13, 2026.

On June 25 at approximately 10:30 a.m., Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the 3800 block of Old Niles Ferry Road to the call of a woman who was found lying in a ditch and badly injured. After arriving on the scene, medics with AMR Ambulance Service called for Life Star and the victim, Mrs. Frey, was flown to U.T. Medical Center where she was pronounced dead a short time later. Sheriff’s Office crash investigators immediately began their inquiry into the incident and through witness statements and other evidence, they identified Mr. McLemore as the suspect in the hit and run.

Sheriff Berrong would like to thank everyone who provided information that helped deputies identify the individual who was responsible.

“This is a tragic situation,” Sheriff Berrong said. “With this arrest, we provided some closure and justice for Mrs. Frey’s family, but it doesn’t really ease anyone’s suffering. My prayers go out to everyone who was affected by this incident.”