Tabitha Smith : Tennessee Deputy Crashes, Killing Self and Detainee

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File image of the banks of the Tennessee River. Getty Images

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A deputy in Tennessee tragically crashed into the Tennessee River after making his first arrest, resulting in the loss of his life and that of the detainee, as confirmed by officials in the area. 

Meigs County District Attorney Russell Johnson revealed during a press briefing on Thursday afternoon that the deputy’s vehicle was discovered submerged in the Blythe Ferry area of the Tennessee River.

Upon inspection, the driver’s side front window was found rolled down, and a body was located in the backseat, as mentioned by Johnson. 

Further information later in the day revealed the discovery of a second body, identified as the 35-year-old deputy, Robert John “R.J.” Leonard.

Local reports have since named the detainee who tragically lost her life in the backseat as Tabitha Smith. 

First Arrest

Deputy Leonard had recently completed his training at the academy and had been serving with the Meigs County Sheriff’s Office since December, according to Johnson. The arrest Leonard conducted on Wednesday night, just before 10 p.m., marked his first official duty. 

Responding to a disturbance call on a highway bridge involving a man and a woman, Leonard was en route back to the jail when he ceased communication. 

“There was a sudden pause after about a 12-minute gap between him radioing that he was returning to the jail with a suspect he had apprehended, and there was one key word that we deciphered, ‘Water’,” Johnson shared. 

Additionally, Leonard had sent a brief text message to his wife, mentioning “Arrest,” to which she responded positively, but her message failed to reach his phone, as per Johnson. 

“He was doing other things”

Leonard’s vehicle entered the water close to a ferry landing, an area known for its hazardous conditions locally due to a steep hill and a sharp curve, particularly at night. 

Recent reports indicated that just last month, another individual drove into the water in the same vicinity but managed to survive. 

Authorities highlighted that Leonard hailed from New York originally and likely lacked familiarity with the area. 

“Therefore, if he was distracted by the individual in the backseat, or was preoccupied with adjusting the radio, or possibly texting simultaneously, it is conceivable that he veered off the road,” Johnson remarked. 

“Our working hypothesis is that it was an unfortunate accident – he missed his intended route, he was unfamiliar with the surroundings, and he was engaged in other activities that could have led to his unfortunate plunge into the water.” 

This report originates from Detroit.