WBIR reporter charged with vehicular homicide in wrong-way crash that killed two

A reporter at WBIR in Knoxville, Tennessee, has been charged with two counts of vehicular homicide following a wrong-way crash on Interstate 40 that killed a married couple early Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026.

Police identified the suspect as Paul Fisher, who joined the NBC affiliate approximately five months ago, according to an article on the station’s website.

Investigators said Fisher was driving a 2012 Toyota Corolla westbound in the eastbound lanes of I-40 near Sutherland Avenue when he collided head-on with a 2026 Chevrolet Equinox.

Brian Elmore and his wife, Brandi Elmore, who were traveling in the Equinox, were killed in the crash.

According to police, the impact sent the Equinox down an embankment, where it overturned and came to rest near a utility pole.

A third vehicle was also involved in the crash, but its driver did not suffer serious injuries.

Fisher was injured in the collision and faces two counts of vehicular homicide. Authorities have not specified what caused Fisher to drive in the wrong direction.

The crash left a student at Dobyns-Bennett High School in Kingsport, Tennessee, without both parents.

Advertisement

In a social media statement Sunday, the school’s band program confirmed that the Elmores were returning from a Bands of America competition when the crash occurred.

Their daughter, a member of the band, was traveling separately aboard a band bus and was not involved in the collision.

“As many of you have heard, one of our band families was involved in a tragic car accident on the way home from the BOA competition last night after encountering a driver traveling the wrong way on Interstate 40 through Knoxville,” band officials said in a statement.

“Our band student, who was traveling with the band on the bus, is now facing the unimaginable loss of both of her parents as a result of this accident.”

As of this writing, Fisher’s bio remains on the station’s website and has not been updated since June 2026, according to the timestamps.