DeKalb County Records Fewer Traffic Deaths and Drownings in 2019

December 23, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

Although even one death is too many, DeKalb County has seen fewer traffic fatalities and lake drownings in 2019 compared to the previous year.

With one week left in the year 2019, a total of three people have lost their lives due to DeKalb County crashes, down from eight in 2018, and one drowning has been recorded on Center Hill Lake compared to three last year.

A 20 year old Warren County man was killed in a motorcycle crash on Monday, March 11 on Highway 70 east at a guardrail near Sligo bridge (Smithville side).

Trooper Chris Delong of the Tennessee Highway Patrol said Zane Jefferson was traveling west on Highway 70 on a 2004 Suzuki motorcycle when he failed to negotiate a curve and slid into the guardrail. Jefferson, who was wearing a helmet, died at the scene. Members of the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department and DeKalb Volunteer Fire Department were also on the scene to render assistance.

A suspected drunk driver believed responsible for a fatal head on crash in March on South Congress Boulevard was named in a sealed indictment returned by the DeKalb County Grand Jury in November.

39 year old James Christopher Vaughn 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.

The crash occurred on Sunday, March 31. 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.  She passed away Wednesday May 29 at St. Thomas Rutherford Hospital in Murfreesboro.

The crash was investigated by Smithville Police Sergeant Travis Bryant.

A 67 year old Smithville woman, Linda Lawrence, who was airlifted to Vanderbilt Hospital after a one car rollover crash Friday night, November 15 on West Main Street later died.

Trooper Bobby Johnson of the Tennessee Highway Patrol said Lawrence was driving east in a 1995 Geo Prizm when the car went off the right side of the road and struck a curb, utility pole, and guide wire before overturning and coming to rest on its top. Members of the Smithville Volunteer Fire Department were called for extrication to enable Lawrence to be removed from the car. She was wearing her seatbelt. Lawrence was taken by DeKalb EMS to Ascension St. Thomas DeKalb Hospital and then airlifted to Vanderbilt Hospital where she passed away.

A man lost his life on Center Hill Lake Wednesday afternoon, July 17.

73 year old Joe Elkins of White County was believed to have drowned.

In a media release, Sheriff Patrick Ray explained what happened.

“On July 17th at 4:47 pm, DeKalb Central Dispatch received a call of a possible drowning at the Johnson’s Chapel Boat Ramp. When deputies arrived on the scene, they found the victim receiving CPR. The victim was identified as 73 year old Joe Elkins of White County Tennessee. It appeared Elkins and another person were swimming at the Johnson’s Chapel Boat Ramp area when Elkins was found to be struggling in the water. The person who was swimming with Elkins tried to retrieve Elkins from the water and also shouted to other people who were in the area for help. Elkins was pulled out of the water and CPR was administered to Elkins at that time,” said Sheriff Ray.

Elkins was transported to St Thomas DeKalb by DeKalb EMS where he was pronounced deceased. Elkins’ body was then transported to the State Medical Examiner’s Office in Nashville for an autopsy.

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