Fatal Crash Data for the nation

The 2016 numbers are out and they are not good!

https://www.nhtsa.gov/press-releases/usdot-releases-2016-fatal-traffic-crash-data

State v. Jacumin has been over-turned by the Tennessee Supreme Court!

The Tennessee Supreme Court has adopted the totality of the circumstances test, as defined by the United States Supreme Court decision in Illinois v. Gates, 462 U.S. 213 (1983). The former two-pronged test used in Tennessee for assessing the reliability of information for probable cause determinations, known as the Aguilar-Spinelli test, has been abandoned in favor of the Gates test. The totality of the circumstances test is a much more elastic test and may have a profound impact on current and future court cases across the state!

STATE OF TENNESSEE v. JERRY LEWIS TUTTLE

M2014-00566-SC-R11-CD  (Tenn. April 5, 2017)

Driver Declared Imminent Hazard After 2 Alcohol-Related Arrests - News - TruckingInfo.com

Prosecutors,



This is an example of what your partners at the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration can do for us, when they receive the information they need! Tom





Driver Declared Imminent Hazard After 2 Alcohol-Related Arrests - News - TruckingInfo.com

Ten Year Sentence for a Poly-Drug Vehicular Homicide in Hamilton County

Earlier this month, a Hamilton County Grand Jury returned indictments against Russell Edward Stephens for vehicular homicide and reckless aggravated assault. Stephens pleaded guilty in Hamilton County Criminal Court in front of Judge Barry Steelman. Stephens will be serving a ten year sentence for vehicular homicide for killing Brenda Boren in a head-on crash in April of 2015. Boren was sitting in the back seat when the crash occurred.  

Stephens had Meth, Methadone and Xanax in his system when the fatal crash claimed Brenda Boren's life.

The full story can be viewed at:

http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/local/story/2017/jan/31/intoxicated-driver-serve-10-years-killing-68-year-old-woman-head--collision/410482/

Kingsport Drugged Driving Arrest

Eight months after a driver veered into oncoming traffic, the driver has been indicted after the lab tests were returned.  To read more about this incident, go to:

http://www.timesnews.net/Law-Enforcement/2017/01/12/KPD-Man-arrested-for-drug-impaired-crash.html?ci=featured&lp=1&ti=

Mr. Kimball Goes to Washingtom

I have accepted a position as the Director of the National Traffic Law Center. I will be starting in my position at the National District Attorneys Association on January 23rd. As such, I will be posting on this site less often, but occasionally.
Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor Barry Williams and my future replacement will be the new moderator(s).
I will be watching........

Keep up the great work protecting lives on our roadways.

First Days

The year has begun. Titan reports no fatal crashes on Jan 1 or 2. There have been a total of 646 crashes with 193 injuries on the first two days of the year.  Be mindful of wet, slick roads. Check the air pressure in your tires and make sure your headlights shine. Stay safe for a great new year.