$1 million bond set for accused driver in death of Loudon County deputy
 
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — A Roane County judge has set the bond for accused driver Christopher M. Savannah following last week’s crash on Interstate 75 that resulted in the death of Loudon County Deputy Sgt. Chris Jenkins.

Savannah, 43, of Houston is being held on a $1 million dollar bond after the Monday morning hearing. The bond was ruled after testimonies and statements were presented in court and the judge took a recess to decide.

Lieutenant Carey Hixson, of Tennessee Highway Patrol, said while on the scene it was discovered that Savannah had no record of duty status. Meaning there was no record of the driver’s distance traveled, time traveled and how much sleep he was getting while operating a commercial vehicle.

Hixson said that while on scene, marijuana was discovered in the vehicle and the driver was disqualified from having a commercial driver’s license (CDL).

“All three of those driver violations per motor carrier rules places the driver out of service,” said Hixson. “Meaning he should not be driving that motor vehicle.”

The post crash inspection revealed that the tractor-trailer was also out of service with one inoperable brake and one brake out of adjustment.

Savannah’s most serious charges are vehicular homicide by intoxication and vehicular homicide by recklessness. These are not designated as capital punishments by Tennessee Legislature, therefore, bail must be set.

Savannah’s next hearing will take place at 1 p.m. on Feb. 22.

BACK
2/8/22