Jefferson County, TN (WOKI) A longtime judge for four East Tennessee counties has died following a crash in Jefferson County.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol says the crash occurred around 1:30 yesterday Sunday morning just outside of Dandridge near Mountain Vista Trail.

The crash report says fourth judicial district court Judge O. Duane Slone was walking along east Highway 25/70 when he was hit by a car.

He was elected to court in 1998 and served Cocke, Grainger, Jefferson, and Sevier Counties.

In 2016, Sloane received an award for co-founding the local Drug Recovery Court and helping to bring awareness to kids born addicted to drugs.

The counties in which Slone worked saw the number of babies with addiction decrease.

Slone was 61 years old.

Many east Tennessee offices and officials took to social media to discuss the loss.

With heavy hearts we report the passing of 4th Judicial District Circuit Court Judge Duane Slone who passed away early this morning from a tragic accident that occurred on 25/70 just east of the Dandridge City Limits. Judge Slone was a huge asset to our community and will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends, and colleagues of Judge Slone. – Dandridge Police Department

According to THP, no charges are pending against the driver of the car.