A 19-year-old man is behind bars after a hit-and-run crash that left a motorcyclist dead Thursday night at the intersection of Bob Kirby Road and Dutchtown Road in west Knox County. Deputies say the rider was taken to Turkey Creek Medical Center and later died from his injuries. Investigators later tracked down a vehicle they believe was involved and arrested a suspect.
The Knox County Sheriff’s Office says the collision happened around 9 p.m. at the intersection, according to WVLT. Deputies called it an apparent hit-and-run and started canvassing nearby homes and combing through video footage from the area.
Arrest records reviewed by reporters show that investigators later found the vehicle they believe was involved and identified 19-year-old Anderson Josuan Perdomo Escobar as the driver. He told detectives he was involved in the crash and left the scene because he was "scared," according to Telemundo Nashville.
Family members reportedly showed investigators video of Perdomo Escobar arriving home with damage to the driver’s side of the car, removing the license plate and moving the vehicle, Telemundo Nashville reported. He was arrested and booked on charges that include leaving the scene of an accident knowing that a death occurred, tampering with evidence and driving without a license. According to the outlet, he is being held on an ICE detainer and is scheduled for a reading of charges on Tuesday.
What the charges could mean
Under Tennessee law, leaving the scene of an accident that results in death is a Class E felony and can carry roughly one to six years in prison, according to Tennessee court records and legal summaries. Convictions for tampering with evidence or other related vehicle offenses can add prison time and may be ordered to run consecutively, legal analysts say.
Investigation ongoing
The Knox County Sheriff’s Office says detectives are still working the case and asked anyone with dash-cam or doorbell footage from the area to contact investigators, according to WVLT. Officials have not released the identity of the motorcyclist. The sheriff’s office has said it will share more information as the case moves through the courts.
