A man believed to be responsible for a serious injury traffic crash Saturday night has been charged with vehicular assault. The accident occurred at the intersection of Highway 70 and Evins Mill Road.
62 year old Terry W. Owens of Smith Road, Smithville is also charged with driving under the influence, violation of the implied consent law, and he has been cited for failure to exercise due care, no insurance, and failure to yield.
Trooper Brent Collier of the Tennessee Highway Patrol told WJLE that Owens, driving a 1997 Chevy, pulled from Evins Mill Road onto highway 70 into the path of a 2014 Kia Serento, driven by 46 year old Michael Adkins of Crossville who was traveling east on highway 70. 38 year old Tosha Adkins was a passenger. 38 year old Rebecca Pelfrey was a passenger with Owens.
According to the complaint, “Mr. Owens smelled of alcohol and admitted to drinking on this day (Saturday). He was given standardized field sobriety tests at which he performed poorly. Mr. Owens refused to give blood multiple times even after being told about the implied consent law”.
Adkins was not hurt but Ms Adkins was airlifted to Vanderbilt Hospital where she was treated and released. Owens and Pelfrey were taken to Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital by DeKalb EMS where they were treated. Pelfrey was released by Owens was taken into custody.
Members of the DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department and DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department were also on the scene.
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