A man accused of causing a deadly crash on I-81 will face drunk driving charges in a preliminary hearing Tuesday. The crash involved three vehicles, the one driven by the defendant in the case and two others. Two of the people involved were severely injured and are being treated by medical professionals.
The crash occurred close to mile marker 13, on I-81 in the northbound lane. A witness said that he had been driving on I-81 shortly before the crash when he saw a commercial truck tractor that he identified as a 2001 White Volvo. According to the witness, that vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed.
He said the Volvo, driven by the defendant in the case, ran two vehicles off the road. It then swerved to the right, going onto the shoulder of the road and hitting two disabled vehicles that were already there. The two disable vehicles struck were a maroon Ford dump truck and a black Ford Mustang.
In the collision, the defendant's vehicle overturned, at which point the defendant is said to have departed the scene. Charging documents in the case say that he did not render aid or provide identification before leaving.
Troopers investigated the cab of his truck and found identifying information there, including his log book, driver's license and insurance information. The troopers sought out the defendant and found him at a Cebco gas station. He was given field sobriety tests and reportedly failed them.
Subsequently, he was charged with multiple counts of aggravated assault by vehicle while under the influence. He is currently being held in lieu of $150,000 bail.
Drunk driving charges are filed on many occasions throughout each year in Tennessee. There are many factors that can be used to mitigate a defendant's culpability. A qualified attorney can help a defendant explore those factors and build the best case possible.
Source:
Public Opinion Local News, "Tennessee man will have hearing for causing major I-81 crash" Becky Metrick, Nov. 16, 2013
