Chattanooga Man Arrested After Fatal Pedestrian Crash
A pickup truck struck two people in a crosswalk on East Main Street, killing an elderly woman.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Accidents
Chattanooga police have arrested Reginal Cousin Jr. following a fatal crash in the 300 block of East Main Street. The incident left one 88-year-old woman dead and another pedestrian with non-life-threatening injuries.
Why it matters
Authorities are investigating the collision to determine the full extent of criminal liability as additional charges remain pending against the driver. This incident highlights ongoing safety concerns for pedestrians navigating high-traffic thoroughfares in the city.
Reginal Cousin Jr. faces charges of Driving Under the Influence and several other offenses following his arrest. While one suspect is in custody, police continue to investigate with additional charges expected to be filed.
The players
Reginal Cousin Jr.
He is the driver currently in custody facing charges of Driving Under the Influence following the fatal crash.
Chattanooga Police Department
This local agency is responsible for investigating the collision and processing the arrest of the suspect.
Hamilton County EMS
The agency provided emergency medical response and transported the crash victims to the hospital.
The details
The incident occurred when a pickup truck struck two individuals who were walking in a crosswalk, requiring emergency transport by Hamilton County EMS. One victim was treated for non-life-threatening injuries, while the 88-year-old woman later succumbed to her wounds.
Timeline
The crash occurred at approximately 9:20 p.m. on Saturday, October 17, 2026.
Legal Context
This incident follows a trend of heightened scrutiny regarding pedestrian safety in urban centers across the region. Local authorities are increasingly utilizing traffic laws to prosecute drivers involved in accidents occurring within designated crosswalks.
Residents should remain vigilant while using crosswalks on major corridors like East Main Street due to the ongoing investigation. Those with information regarding the incident are encouraged to contact the police information tip line at 423-698-2525.
The takeaway
Drivers are reminded that the legal consequences for operating a vehicle under the influence remain severe, especially when resulting in fatalities. Pedestrians are encouraged to remain hyper-aware of vehicle traffic even when utilizing marked crosswalks during nighttime hours.
Further reading
For more information on local road safety, see Chattanooga Accidents.
