Red light intersection crash videos

In an effort to educate drivers a montage of red light crashes caught by red light cameras has been released by American Traffic Solutions.

Read about the video at:

Video of red light camera crashes released - WSMV Channel 4

Watch the video at:

Red-light Running In Tennessee 2011 - YouTube

DUI 2nd affirmed

At 3:30 a.m. on an April night in Somersville David Austin drove his tractor to a store. The clerk knew him and noticed he was having problems. She called the police. When the tractor was stopped, the driver appeared to be "completely unfit to drive", according to Sergaent Justin Powers. A blood test indicated the defendant had consumed Soma and Lortab.
The opinion affirming the conviction can be read at:
http://www.tncourts.gov/sites/default/files/austindavidopn.pdf

Not guilty plea entered in Millington homicide that killed 4

On Christmas Eve in Millington four women were killed. A 32 year old man from Jackson was arrested and charged with four counts of vehicular homicide by intoxication. He has entered a not guilty plea and his attorney has stated that his own investigation has begun. Read about it in the Commercial Appeal at:
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/dec/27/suspect-pleads-not-guilty-fatal-christmas-eve-car/

Talk to your D.A.!

A question raised during the training Tuesday was whether a person should be charged with an Implied Consent violation, when he attempts to refuse, and is mandated to submit. District Attorneys may not agree on one answer. To get it right in your jurisdiction, ask the District Attorney. If you are charging I.C, you must read the ramifications of refusal. If not, you don't need or want to waste your time telling someone what happens when they refuse. The warnings only apply to the Implied Consent charge.

implied consent

I just recieved word that TRI-COR, the State Printing Agency now has the new implied consent forms ready. Jan 1 is just around the corner!

Training

Thanks to the 191 prosecutors and officers who tuned in to our webinar about the mandatory blood testing law, which goes into effect January 1, 2012. I hope you pass the word to all in your departments. I hope the transition to the new law will be smooth. I will respond to questions posted Thursday. Tom

Surgoinsville bans synthetic drugs

A number of cities have been trying to protect their citizens from the effects of synthetic drugs. Reported in the Kingsport Times News is a ban by the town of Surgoinsville. The cities appear to be taking preemptive action as they wait more legislative action by the General Assembly.

Read about it at:

Surgoinsville BMA OKs synthetic drug ban- Kingsport Times-News

NTSB Recommends cell phone and testing ban.

The National Traffic Safety Board has studied the use of cell phones and texting by drivers and has recommended that all States ban the use of cell phones and texting for all drivers, except in emergency situations.

Read a synopsis of the final recommendation at:

Board Meeting: Highway Accident Report: Gray Summit, MO: Collision Involving Two School Buses, a Bobtail and a Passenger Vehicle

Tell us how you would vote on this recommendation in our new poll on the right side of the blog page!

14 years for hit and run driver who killed horseback riding 12 year old.

Amber Kendrick was a happy 12 year old child riding her horse. She rode with two young men when she was killed by 28 year old Richard White near Jackson, Tn. White driving a pickup truck crashed into the child and her horse, killing them both. He then took off from the scene.

He has now been convicted of reckless vehicular homicide, his 4th driving on revoked license crime, possession of marijuana, and leaving the scene. After killing the girl, he removed the license plate from his truck and took off.

There is nothing more heartless and cruel than to leave a child in such a situation. Let's hope Mr. White changes his ways during his short time in prison. Amber's family does not get a second chance. Their loss is forever.

Read about the plea in the Jackson Sun at:

Hit-and-run driver pleads guilty: Richard Alan White gets 14 years in prison in plea deal | The Jackson Sun | jacksonsun.com

Dragon Crash Lawsuit

A family has filed a 14.5 million dollar lawsuit against a trucking company after a motocyclist on a Triumph Triple Speed motorcycle crashed into a semi truck that was alleged to be blocking both lanes of traffic. According to the Daily Times article there have been 17 motorcyclists killed on the Dragon, an 11 mile stretch of U.S. Hwy 129, in the last six years. One has involved a large truck.
Several Nashville riders, including members of the family of this biker, mounted a campaign shortly after the crash to persuade legislators to ban tractor-trailers longer than 30 feet from using the Dragon.
Read the article at:

http://www.thedailytimes.com/Local_News/story/Family-sues-for-145M-in-fatality-on-Dragon-id-018596

Cookeville impaired driver tries to eat car seat!

How drunk do you have to be to think that eating the back seat of the patrol car is a good idea?

Read about Charles Jones' arrest and remember he is presumed innocent unless and until he os proven guilty at:

Herald Citizen - Drunk driver eats patrol car seat

Gustavo Reyes denied parole recommendation

Five years into a 25 year sentence, Gustavo Reyes, was given a parole hearing. Reyes was made famous when he killed a Mt. Juliet couple after being spared deportation numerous times. His hearing was granted after he had served 21% of his time. He has not been a good prisoner with multiple behavior violations and a drug violation. The hearing officer was not impresssed. Read about it at:

Man convicted in vehicular homicide has parole hearing - Local News - Nashville, TN - msnbc.com

Vehicular Homicide Sentencing in Washington County

An impaired driver who crashed into a home and killed has been sentenced to serve 8 years for vehicular homicide by intoxication. Ashley Langworthy was driving over 90 mph with a BAC of .16 when she went airborne and killed 71 year old Glenn Smith in his living room. She sought alternative sentencing.

Read about the hearing at:

Former Guardswoman Sentenced For Deadly Crash - News Story - WCYB Tri Cities

Blood testing article from Rutherford County

Congratulations to Rutherford County for setting up a system in which the blood draw for DUI cases takes place at the jail. The County has a contract with a local Doctor to provide services. The system removes hospitals from the system completely. This is a good model for improvement in one county system.

Read about it at:

County confident in doing DUI blood tests at jail | The Daily News Journal | dnj.com