5 killed in 2-car crash involving MPD vehicle

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) – Five people died in a two-car crash early Sunday morning at Hickory Hill and East Raines roads, according to the Memphis Police Department.

Police said officers were responding to a man-down call when the crash happened. One vehicle was carrying two MPD officers. The other was carrying six people.

The two officers were taken to the hospital in critical condition and were released several hours later. Five of the six people in the other vehicle have died. The condition of the sixth person remains critical.

The crash happened next to Zion CME Church in the Hickory Hill neighborhood.

Rome Hampton lives nearby. He said he and his brother heard the crash around 12:30 a.m. Sunday.

“The screeching, then we heard the boom; it was so, so loud to the point [that] when I heard it, I told him I think someone died,” Hampton said.

Hampton said he is still in shock over the number of lives lost.

“It only takes a split second for life to change. You have to be attentive at every second. Just pay attention,” Hampton said.

Hampton said he wants to see more safeguards in the area.

“We need more warnings or like a light or something. I don’t know what it is about this street, but I have seen cars in the woods, I have seen cars in people’s parking lots, in people’s yards. It all happens right here,” Hampton said.

Malcolm Register attends Zion CME Church.

“Sickens me to see graffiti at my church. We can’t even worship and as sick as it makes me, that we had to put a barricade in front of a church sign because people want to make this to the racetrack,” Register said.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol has taken over the investigation into what caused the crash.

Loved ones of those involved are asking for privacy at this time.