Reckless Driver Involved in Crash While Trying to Evade Arrest Facing Charges

May 20, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

A reckless driver involved in a crash last Tuesday while trying to evade arrest is now facing several charges.

31 year old Christopher Clinton Ogletree of Earl Avenue, Smithville will make a court appearance on May 23 for evading arrest and reckless endangerment by the sheriff’s department. His bond totals $15,000. The Tennessee Highway Patrol also has charges against him.

Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on Tuesday May 14 Central Dispatch received a call of a reckless driver operating a gold Chevy S-10 pickup truck on Cookeville Highway. A deputy spotted the truck traveling erratically and at a high rate of speed. As the deputy was turning around to initiate a traffic stop, he lost sight of the truck as it sped away. Moments later the truck was involved in a personal injury crash with another automobile on North Congress Boulevard in Smithville. Ogletree admitted to officers at the scene that he spotted the deputy turning around to come after him and he picked up speed trying to get away.

Sheriff Ray said for several days after the crash reports came in from motorists complaining that this same truck had passed them on Cookeville Highway in various places from Silver Point to Smithville prior to the wreck.

Trooper C.J. Withers of the Tennessee Highway Patrol, who conducted the crash investigation, said that Ogletree, traveling south in a 2003 Chevy S-10, crossed into an oncoming lane to pass other vehicles in front of him when he lost control and ran off the left side of the highway into the grass. The truck then came back across the highway and struck a southbound Hyundai Elantra, driven by 55 year old Alena Meraz of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Her husband Francisco was a passenger. Upon impact both vehicles went off the right side of the highway. The Hyundai came to a stop in a corn field.

According to Trooper Withers, Ogletree faces DUI and other charges by the THP.

May 20, 2019
By:

DeKalb County Democratic Party Chair Jordan Wilkins was elected as Chairman of the Tennessee Democratic County Chairs Association Saturday during the Tennessee Democratic Party’s Elevate Summit held at Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro.

County Chairs elected Wilkins by a vote of 51-7 defeating Larry Best of Loudon County. Wilkins previously served as Chair of the 6th Congressional District Democratic County Chairs and Secretary of the Tennessee Democratic County Chairs Association. Wilkins will now hold a seat on the Tennessee Democratic Party State Executive Committee representing the Tennessee Democratic County Chairs Association.

Other officers elected include:

Vice Chair- Amos Powers of Putnam County
Secretary- Civil Miller Watkins of Fayette County
Treasurer- Gary Bynum of Davidson County

1st Congressional District Chair- Kate Craig of Washington County
2nd Congressional District Chair- Larry Best of Loudon County
3rd Congressional District Chair- Leslie Hull of Bradley County
4th Congressional District Chair- Mariah Phillips of Rutherford County
5th Congressional District Chair- Lynn Newcomb of Cheatham County
6th Congressional District Chair- Anne Ferrell Quillen of Cumberland County
7th Congressional District Chair- Chase Lindsey of Chester County
8th Congressional District Chair- Regina Nash of Lauderdale County
9th Congressional District Chair- Dave Cambron of Shelby County

“I ran for this position because I believe the path to turning Tennessee blue starts at the grassroots level with the county parties. I want to be a leader that listens to each county about its needs and concerns. I want to make sure that we do everything that we can as an association to strengthen county parties and elect Democrats at all levels of government. Because of the work I have done in the county, district, and throughout the state, I believe that I have the knowledge about the organization and an understanding of the people of Tennessee to lead our association forward for the next two years.”

May 20, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

Smithville Elementary would like to recognize Students of the Month for May.

These students were selected for their outstanding character, academics, and other traits that make them an all-around excellent student.

Selected as Students of the Month for May are: Pre-K: Elizabeth Knowles, Kindergarten: Veronica Amaya, 1st grade: Layla Ahedo Blas, 2nd grade: Alex Phillips

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