Former Knoxville County Sheriff’s Office Corrections Officer Pleads Guilty to Role in 2021 Deadly Motorcycle Crash
Former Knoxville County Sheriff’s Office corrections officer Jessie Hodges pleaded guilty to the criminal charge of negligent homicide earlier this week on July 22 in connection with a deadly car accident three years ago that left one person dead. According to local news reports, Knoxnews.com, 34-year-old Hodges was set to go to trial in the fatal car accident case on July 22, but she instead pleaded guilty to the charges levied against her, which include vehicular homicide, leaving the scene of an accident, and following too closely. Hodges’ case is currently before the Knox County criminal court.
The fatal accident that led to the criminal charges against Hodges claimed the life of 63-year-old Dwight Woods, a North Carolina resident who was traveling by motorcycle on Interstate 40 near Pellissippi Parkway in Knoxville when Hodges hit him from behind with her SUV. Hodges was 31 years old at the time of the accident, which occurred on September 4, 2021. According to police reports, when officers arrived on the scene of the fatal accident, the motorcycle was “pinned” against Hodges SUV. However, Hodges fled the scene without calling for help or 911 to report the deadly accident. Woods tragically died at the scene of the accident after being hit by Hodges. Hodges refused to take a blood-alcohol test and the Knoxville Police Department indicates that it did not find evidence of alcohol impairment in the deadly case. In a statement, Hodges’ attorney noted, “Ms. Hodge has accepted responsibility for the accident that unfortunately claimed the life of Dwight Woods. She submitted to a criminally negligent homicide plea with an agreed probation resolution, which was substantially less than what she had been charged with. Our sympathies go out to the Woods family.”
Rights and Options of Victims of Negligent Car Accidents in Knoxville
Victims of negligent car accidents and motorcycle accidents in Tennessee should be aware of their rights and options to compensation under Tennessee personal injury laws. Under Tennessee personal injury laws, when a person is injured by a negligent driver, they may be entitled to money compensation for their injuries and losses. In order to obtain compensation for injuries sustained in negligent car accidents in Tennessee, a car accident victim must bring a lawsuit in court. Accordingly, it is always best to speak with an experienced Tennessee personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after a serious car accident or motorcycle accident occurs.
Legal Help for Victims of Negligent Car Accidents in Tennessee
If you were injured in a car accident or motorcycle accident due to the fault of another driver in Tennessee, do not hesitate to learn about your rights and options for compensation. The experienced Tennessee car accident lawyers at the law firm Fox Farley Willis & Burnette, PLLC are here to help victims of negligent car accidents and motorcycle accidents get money due for their injuries and losses. Do not hesitate to speak to an experienced Tennessee car accident lawyer about your case today. Contact the experienced Tennessee personal injury car accident lawyers at the law firm Fox Farley Willis & Burnette, PLLC and speak to a lawyer about your case now.
Source:
knoxnews.com/story/news/crime/2024/07/22/driver-pleads-guilty-in-2021-knoxville-crash-that-killed-motorcyclist/74435395007/
