Preliminary data concerning Tennessee traffic fatalities in the first quarter of 2010 indicates that 19 fewer people have died on our roads this year than at this time last year.

So far in 2010, one hundred eighty three (183) people have perished. Counties that have seen the largest increases in deaths are Sumner +7, Campbell and Knox +5 and Morgan +4.

To see how your county is doing, download the latest .pdf in our Resources section, or click the link below.

March 2010 - Motor Vehicle Fatality and Safety Restraint Usage Report.

In Sevier County Assistant District Attorney George Ioannides resolved a vehicular homicide prosecution in State v Gibson this week. Gibson pled guilty and received a 15 year sentence. Gibson had no alcohol in her system, but did have meprobamate/carisoprodal, alprazolam and nordiazepam. The lead officer in the case was Preston Parrish of the Sevierville police department.

Senate Judiciary Committee:

• SB2970 by *Black
  DUI/DWI Offenses - As introduced, broadens substances that may affect central nervous system for purposes of the prohibition against driving under the influence. - Amends TCA Title 55, Chapter 10.
  
• SB0197 by *Bunch
  Methamphetamine - As introduced, provides that possession of more than 20 grams of meth precursor within a 30-day period is prima facie evidence of intent to promote meth manufacture. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 4.
• SB0844 by *Beavers, *Black
  DUI/DWI Offenses - As introduced, permits arrest for DUI to toll the 10 and 20 year provision between convictions for purpose of determining a multiple offender. - Amends TCA Title 55, Chapter 10.
• SB2900 by *McNally, *Ketron
  Fines and Penalties - As introduced, increases blood alcohol or drug concentration test (BADT) fee from $100 to $250, and adds to present offenses mandating such fine conviction of reckless driving or simple possession or casual exchange of controlled substance. - Amends TCA Title 55, Chapter 10, Part 4.
• SB2901 by *McNally, *Ketron
  Fines and Penalties - As introduced, increases mandatory drug testing fee from $100 to $250 and additionally imposes fine on granting of pretrial or judicial diversion. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 4.
• SB2902 by *McNally, *Ketron
  Tennessee Bureau of Investigation - As introduced, designates fees for certain laboratory procedures conducted by the TBI and allocates proceeds from such fees to a fund for use by the bureau. - Amends TCA Title 38, Chapter 6.

House Judiciary Committee

• HB2968 by *Jones U, *White
  Drugs - As introduced, creates Class A misdemeanor for production, manufacture, distribution, possession, or possession with intent to produce, manufacture, or distribute the synthetic cannabinoids JWH-018, JWH-073 and HU-210. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 4.
• HB0719 by *Niceley
  DUI/DWI Offenses - As introduced, creates within the department of safety a "Repeat DUI Offender" registry of persons who have two or more DUI convictions and whose license is currently suspended or revoked; makes the registry available on the Internet. - Amends TCA Title 55, Chapter 10, Part 4.

In the 15th District Prosecutors Linda Walls and Bobby Hibbett have completed an aggravated vehicular homicide prosecution with a 22 year sentence. The case of State v Duffey was investigated by the Tennessee Highway Patrol C.I.R.T. team led by Allan Brenneis. The prosecuting witness was Trooper Raymond Gaskill.

After the killing crash blood was taken at the scene by an EMT-P. The defendant had a prior DUI in Wilson County and another in Kennesaw, Ga Municipal Court, which was not on his driving history, but was discovered and chased down by the D.A.'s office. Defendant had his 9 year old son in his truck when he crashed and killed.