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Sports reporter Wes Rucker, who covered Tennessee athletics, dies at 43
- Authorities say on Feb. 19, a crash on I-40 West near Cedar Bluff claimed the life of Wes Rucker, Knoxville Police Department reported.
- KPD said the collision unfolded in a chain reaction, starting when a stopped vehicle was rear-ended causing minor damage, then a secondary strike occurred before a large pickup truck ran onto a car, fatally injuring the driver.
- A longtime Vols beat writer, Wes Rucker covered Tennessee Athletics since 2000 and joined WBIR in August 2025, hosting the 10 at 3 with Wes Rucker videocast with over 70 episodes, returning to journalism after a stroke at age 32.
- WBIR and colleagues issued statements mourning Wes Rucker as a GoFundMe was created to support Lauren and Hank, with David Goldberg confirming his death and Tennessee athletics figures expressing sorrow.
- Updated Feb. 20, 2026: the Knoxville Police Department said officers responded at 4:50 p.m. ET on Thursday to a five-vehicle crash, with investigations ongoing and media outlets updating coverage.
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18 Articles
18 Articles
Coverage Details
Total News Sources18
Leaning Left2Leaning Right2Center9Last UpdatedBias Distribution69% Center
Bias Distribution
- 69% of the sources are Center
69% Center
L 16%
C 69%
15%
Factuality
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