Highway patrol captain puts her badge back on almost a year after head-on crash with DUI driver

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT/Gray News) - Wednesday marked a big day for a Tennessee Highway Patrol captain who was injured in a head-on collision last April.

Captain Stacey Heatherly released a video of herself with her uniform back on for the first time since the crash.

“Today marks a very special day for me,” Heatherly said from behind the wheel of her cruiser in a video provided by THP. “I was not sure if I would be able to put this uniform back on or not. So today is a pretty good day.”

Heatherly was traveling down Highway 62 in Morgan County on that April evening when she was hit by a pickup truck.

According to the highway patrol’s report of the crash, the driver of the pickup, 33-year-old Anthony Elliot, was under the influence at the time.

Heatherly also spoke about how she felt wearing the badge again.

“We are an elite group, and I feel like we are second to none,” Heatherly said. “I am proud to be back. I am proud to be leading as the captain of the Knoxville district.”

Elliot was charged with reckless endangerment, driving under the influence and violating implied consent law, according to court records.

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