By BEN GARRETT
TnHunting.Com Publisher

KINGSPORT — The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency has identified who it believes is the driver of a boat involved in a hit-and-run fatality on Boone Lake early Sunday morning.

However, the agency is not releasing the name of the alleged driver pending further investigation.

According to a news release issued this afternoon by the TWRA's Region IV office in Morristown, investigators have identified a vessel and operator, and tests are being performed on the craft to determine its involvement in the accident, which occurred shortly after midnight Sunday.

The crash occurred between what was described by witnesses as a bass-type boat and a pontoon boat at around 1 a.m. Sunday morning, killing 63-year-old Wayne Cross and injuring 53-year-old James Clark, both of Bristol and both of whom were occupants of the pontoon boat. The bass boat fled the scene.

According to this afternoon's release, a report is being prepared and will be reviewed by the Sullivan County District Attorney's office before names are released or charges are filed.

Meanwhile, TnHunting.Com learned this afternoon of a rumor that has been circulating by Internet that former University of Tennessee football standout Jason Whitten might have be a suspect in the incident.

However, the TWRA's release appears to deny that rumor. While not mentioning specific names, the release states that "the TWRA has become aware of a rumor circulating which indicates the involvement of two individuals in this fatality.  Based upon the knowledge gained during our investigation, the individuals named in this rumor are not associated with this incident."

The TWRA continues to seek information about the incident, and asks anyone in the area between Cancun and Davis Dock between 12 midnight and 1 a.m. Sunday morning who saw a pontoon boat with green pontoons and a green canopy with two males aboard or a blue and white ski-type boat to contact the TWRA hotline at 800-831-1174 between 7 a.m. and midnight daily.

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