A Decatur County man has been indicted following a fatal boating accident that claimed the life of a 19-year-old on the Tennessee River. Christopher Overman, 48, faces multiple criminal charges stemming from an incident that occurred between the night of April 19 and the early morning hours of April 20, 2025. The accident resulted in the death of Austin Perry, a Decaturville resident.
On September 16, 2025, Overman was officially charged by a grand jury, as reported by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA). He was subsequently arrested by TWRA Wildlife Officers and is currently held at Decatur County Jail with a bond set at $250,000. Overman's initial court appearance is scheduled for September 30.
The charges against the Decatur County resident include one count each of Vehicular Homicide by Recklessness, Vehicular Homicide Driver Intoxication, Boating Under the Influence 2nd Offense, Implied Consent Boating Enhancement, Reckless Boating with Injury, and Purchasing of Alcoholic Beverages for a Child. These serious allegations suggest a series of legal transgressions that culminated in a tragic loss of life.
The ongoing investigation into the incident has prompted the TWRA to remind Tennesseans about the importance of safety on waterways. While no further information has been disclosed, queries have been redirected to the Office of the District Attorney General for the 24th Judicial District. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, tasked with the conservation of wildlife and the enforcement of boating laws, continues to emphasize safety education in light of this recent tragedy.
