December 27, 2018
By: Dwayne Page
A 25 year old Morrison man who walked away from a crash Thursday morning in DeKalb County and was later picked up by White County authorities died while in custody there.
Sparta Live.com reports that TBI agents are investigating the death at the request of 13th District Attorney General Bryant Dunaway.
The name of the man has not yet been released pending notification of family.
Trooper Bobby Johnson of the Tennessee Highway Patrol told WJLE that the man was a passenger of a 2003 Chevy Tahoe, driven by 27 year old Lakean Woods of Rock Island who was traveling west on Highway 70 east about a quarter of a mile east (Sparta side) of Sligo bridge.
Trooper Johnson said Woods lost control of the Tahoe while trying to negotiate a curve, ran off the left side of the road, and struck a rock embankment. The Tahoe then came back across the road, overturned, and struck a rock embankment off the right side of the highway before coming to rest on its side.
Woods was ejected from the vehicle. She was treated by DeKalb EMS at the scene and then airlifted to Skyline Medical Center in Nashville. Woods has since been released from the hospital. After the crash, the passenger walked away from the scene and was reportedly picked up in White County.
According to Sparta Live.com initial reports indicate that when White County deputies attempted to detain the individual, he started to assault the officers and a taser was deployed. The subject was handcuffed and transported to the jail. When the deputy arrived at the jail, the individual was unresponsive. He was transported to the White County Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased. Efforts remain underway to positively identify him. The investigation continues to be active and ongoing.