A routine breakdown turned deadly in Tennessee after a woman who pulled over on a busy road was struck and killed by an alleged drunk driver, according to police.
Authorities say the victim had been driving along Union Avenue in Memphis on Thursday evening when her car broke down. She did what most drivers would—pulled to the side of the road and turned on her hazard lights.
Moments later, tragedy struck.
Police say 67-year-old Daniel Thomas was driving a Honda Pilot on the same road when he slammed into the woman’s disabled vehicle. Investigators believe he also hit the woman herself as she stood outside her car.
Emergency crews responded around 9 p.m., but the woman was pronounced dead at the scene. Her identity has not yet been publicly released.
According to the Memphis Police Department, Thomas showed signs of impairment when officers made contact with him. Authorities say he smelled of alcohol, admitted to drinking multiple alcoholic beverages, and performed poorly on a field sobriety test.
He was later taken to a hospital, where a blood test reportedly showed the presence of THC.
Thomas has now been charged with vehicular homicide. He also faces additional charges including DUI, reckless driving, public intoxication, and driving without a license.
The deadly crash happened on Union Avenue, a major roadway that cuts through a heavily traveled part of Memphis—making the incident even more shocking for those familiar with the area.
Thomas was taken into custody and booked into jail. He is expected to appear in court for arraignment on Monday, with a bond hearing to follow.