December 28, 2021
By: Dwayne Page
A 76-year-old pedestrian was airlifted this morning (Tuesday) after being hit by a car in the parking lot of the Dollar Tree.
According to Trooper Joseph Van Bommel of the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Beverly Jones had just come out of the store and was walking to her vehicle when 58-year-old Joseph Hunter of Smithville, driving a 2011 Dodge Avenger, backed out of a parking space and struck Jones. She was taken by DeKalb EMS to Ascension Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital where she was airlifted by helicopter ambulance to Vanderbilt Hospital.
Hunter has been charged with a 2nd offense of driving under the influence, vehicular assault, driving while suspended, and he was cited for no driver license. He is under a $16,000 bond and his court date is February 10.
In addition to the THP and DeKalb EMS, the Smithville Police and Fire Departments were on the scene to render assistance.
The preliminary report by the THP states as follows “On 12/28/2021 at approximately 10:56 a.m. I was dispatched to a vehicle vs pedestrian crash in the parking lot of Dollar Tree in Smithville TN. Upon arrival I learned a Beverly Ann Jones (1/22/1945) had left the Dollar Tree and was walking across the parking lot towards her vehicle when she was struck by a car going in reverse. The vehicle was a 2011 White Dodge Avenger driven by Joseph Hunter (02/17/1963). Mr. Hunter was parked in a parking spot facing Moses Discount Tobacco and Beer. As he was backing out of the parking spot he struck Ms. Jones. During my investigation I observed signs of impairment on Mr. Hunter and he admitted to smoking marijuana earlier in the morning. He performed standardized field sobriety tasks unsatisfactorily and was placed under arrest. Mr. Hunter also had a suspended license for failure to maintain future proof of insurance. The THP Critical Incident Response Team responded to the scene . Mr. Hunter was transported to the DeKalb County Jail and charged with Vehicular Assault, DUI 2nd, Driving on Suspended, and cited for No insurance. Ms. Jones was transported by air to Vanderbilt Nashville for treatment and listed in stable condition at the time of this report”.