Vaughn Sentenced in Fatal Crash

April 6, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

A suspected drunk driver believed responsible for a fatal head on crash in March, 2019 on South Congress Boulevard was sentenced in DeKalb County Criminal Court Monday.

40 year old James Christopher Vaughn, who was indicted for driving under the influence, vehicular homicide, vehicular assault, simple possession of a schedule VI drug (Marijuana), and failure to maintain lane of travel, entered a plea to vehicular assault and driving under the influence. The other charges were dismissed.

Vaughn received a sentence of 4 years to serve in the Tennessee Department of Corrections for the vehicular assault and 11 months and 29 days for the DUI to serve concurrently. He was given jail credit for 495 days and will lose his driver license for one year
The crash occurred on Sunday, March 31. 2019. 65 year old Bessie Blevins was seriously injured and died two months later.

According to Smithville Police, Vaughn was driving north on South Congress Boulevard in a Chevy Cobalt when he crossed into the southbound lane and struck a Mercedes SUV driven by Billy Blevins near the intersection of Congress and Bryant Street. Bessie Blevins was a passenger.

After impact, Vaughn’s car came to rest in the center of the road and burst into flames. The SUV stopped in the grass on the west side of Congress Boulevard.

Vaughn, though seriously injured in the crash, was not believed to have suffered any burns. He apparently got out of his car before it caught fire. Before going to the hospital, Vaughn submitted to but performed poorly on field sobriety tasks. Vaughn’s speech was slurred and he was unsteady on his feet. He also had a strong odor of alcohol coming from his person. Vaughn agreed to a blood test. He was taken by DeKalb EMS to Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital and then airlifted to Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Bessie Blevins was taken by EMS to the hospital. Mr. Belvins went to the hospital by private vehicle. Bessie passed away Wednesday May 29 at St. Thomas Rutherford Hospital in Murfreesboro

The Smithville Volunteer Fire Department was also on the scene.

The crash was investigated by Smithville Police Officer Travis Bryant

April 6, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

Another grand Jury sealed indictment has been served.

42 year old Michael Lloyd Ballinger of Lebanon was indicted last week for auto burglary and theft of property. His bond is $75,000. He was arraigned Monday in DeKalb County Criminal Court.

Meanwhile in other recent county crime news.

31 year old Michael Joseph Lee of Estes Street Smithville is charged with violation of an order of protection. His bond is $3,500 and he will be in court April 8.

Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on March 29 a deputy was informed that Lee was at an address on Estes Street where he was not supposed to be due to an order of protection against him. Upon arrival the officer found Lee at this home and learned that he is on probation house arrest. He was taken into custody.

34 year old Jason Alexander Sturdivant of Page Drive is charged with auto burglary and theft of property. His bond is $5,000 and he will be in court May 13. Sheriff Ray said that on February 21 Sturdivant broke into and stole a 2002 GMC Yukon valued at $1,200.

51 year old Billy Eugene Cook , Jr. of Kendra Drive is charged with a 2nd offense of driving on a suspended license and possession of drug paraphernalia. He is under a $2,500 bond and his court date is May 6.

Sheriff Ray said that on March 31 a deputy spotted a Toyota Tundra with an inoperable tail light being driven by Cook. The officer knew that Cook’s license were suspended and had warned Cook the previous day not to be driving. The deputy pulled Cook over and placed him under arrest. During an inventory search of the vehicle the officer discovered several glass pipes along with a set of digital scales with a white crystal like residue.

46 year old Christopher Alan Scruggs of Highland Avenue is charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver, simple possession of a schedule VI and III drug (marijuana and suboxone), driving while in possession of methamphetamine, and driving on a suspended license. He was further cited for making an improper turn and no insurance. His bond totals $31,000 and he will be in court May 6.

Sheriff Ray said that on April 1 a deputy while patrolling the area of Smith Road spotted a Nissan car making a wide right turn from Smith Road onto Cookeville Highway crossing over the yellow divider line separating the northbound travel lane from the dedicated turning lane. The officer pulled over the driver, Scruggs and a background check revealed that his license were suspended. When the officer asked him if he was in possession of anything illegal, Smith said he had in the back of the car a safe containing methamphetamine. A search of the safe revealed a white crystal like substance which weighed 24.5 grams, a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana, and two orange pills thought to be suboxone.

34 year old Christopher Peter Mulford of Hayes Court is charged with driving under the influence. He was further cited for roadways laned for travel and no insurance His bond is $3,500 and he will be in court May 6.

Sheriff Ray said that on April 1 a deputy spotted a green Hyundai Sonata cross the yellow line of the highway several times. He pulled over the vehicle and spoke to the driver, Mulford whose speech was slurred. Mulford submitted to but performed poorly on field sobriety tasks. He was then placed under arrest.

24 year old Haley Jada Sosa of Path Drive, Smithville is charged with domestic assault. Her bond is $2,500 and she will be in court May 6.

Sheriff Ray said that on April 4 a deputy was summoned to Path Drive due to a physical domestic. Upon arrival he spoke with a man who said that his wife, Sosa began arguing with him after her ex-boyfriend showed up. He said that Sosa then pulled a piercing from his left eyebrow and elbowed him on the left side of his face. Sosa was then placed under arrest.

April 6, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

A local liquor store is undergoing a change in ownership and the Smithville Mayor and Aldermen Monday night approved a certificate of compliance by the new owners.

Center Hill Wine and Spirits at 725 South Congress Boulevard beside Food Lion opened in 2015. The owner, James Bradshaw is selling the business to Kimberly Hunt and Michael Hopkins pending approval of city and state conditions for the new owners’ liquor license.

Smithville Mayor and Aldermen discuss certificate of compliance for liquor store from dwayne page on Vimeo.

Under city and state laws, the aldermen must adopt a new liquor store owner’s certificate of compliance before he or she can make application to the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission. The agency which has the sole authority to grant a liquor license. The certificate of compliance signifies the store owner has met all the city’s requirements for an application to the state.

City Administrator Hunter Hendrixson said the applicants have met conditions for approval of a certificate of compliance under the city’s liquor ordinance. One requirement is that the new owners, like the current one, must keep at least a $150,000 inventory of liquor at all times.

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