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Accident – Death – Obituary News :
File image of the banks of the Tennessee River. Getty Images
A deputy in Tennessee tragically crashed into the Tennessee River after making his first arrest, resulting in the loss of both his life and that of the detainee, as confirmed by authorities in the area.
Meigs County District Attorney Russell Johnson revealed during a press conference on Thursday afternoon that the deputy’s vehicle was discovered submerged in the Blythe Ferry area of the Tennessee River.
The driver’s side front window was rolled down, and a body was found in the backseat, Johnson disclosed.
Officials later confirmed that a second body, identified as the 35-year-old deputy Robert John “R.J.” Leonard, had been located.
Local reports have identified the detainee who tragically lost her life in the backseat as Tabitha Smith.
Tragic First Arrest
Deputy Leonard, who had recently graduated from the academy and had been serving with the Meigs County Sheriff’s Office since December, made his first arrest on Wednesday night just before 10 p.m., Johnson shared.
Leonard had responded to a call regarding a disturbance on a highway bridge involving a man and a woman.
However, on his way back to the jail with the suspect, he stopped responding to status checks.
‘There was a last-minute call after a 12-minute gap between him radioing that he was returning to the jail with a suspect or someone he had arrested, and there was one word that we analyzed, ‘Water’,’ Johnson explained.
Leonard had also sent a one-word text to his wife, saying “Arrest,” to which she responded positively, but her text did not reach his phone, Johnson added.
Unfortunate Circumstances
Leonard’s vehicle entered the water near a ferry landing, an area known for its hazardous reputation locally due to a hill and a sharp curve, especially at night.
Officials noted that just last month, another individual drove into the water in the same location but survived.
Leonard, originally from New York, was likely unfamiliar with the area, officials mentioned.
“So if he wasn’t paying attention because he was distracted by the person in the back, or about trying to hit the radio, or sending a text at the same time, you could imagine he would go down that road,” Johnson stated.
“We’re operating under the theory that it was an accident — he missed his turn, he wasn’t familiar, and he was doing other things that may have caused him to go into the water.”
This news was reported from Detroit.
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