A Nashville man, Anthony Howland, 39, has been arrested in Peoria, Illinois, in connection with a fatal car crash from July 2024 that took the life of 53-year-old Kristie Garcia. Police believe Garcia had a green light and was turning onto Lafayette Street from Claiborne Street when her vehicle was hit by Howland's Pontiac Grand Amas reported by FOX17.
Garcia, who suffered critical injuries in the collision, succumbed to her trauma on August 7, after being hospitalized. Howland, whose blood alcohol content was measured at .18%, more than twice the legal limit, fled the state. After issuing warrants for vehicular homicide by intoxication and vehicular assault in December, the Metro Nashville Police Department placed Howland on its "Most Wanted" list, and he remained at large up until his recent capture Howland's fugitive status and arrest were detailed in a WKRN news post as well.
The dire consequences of drunken driving were tragically underscored by the high-profile nature of this case, which prompted the Metro Nashville Police to intensify their search for Howland over the past year. The efforts to bring him to justice were successful when officials in Peoria apprehended the suspect on Tuesday, as Nashville law enforcement received the long-awaited notification of his arrest, as per details from The Tennessean.
Officials are working to extradite Howland back to Nashville, where he will face charges related to a serious impaired driving incident.
