Husband charged in road rage incident that killed wife
6:06 PM, Apr. 18, 2012 |
A Greenbrier man is charged with vehicular homicide in the death
of his own wife after he and another driver sparred with their pickup
trucks during a possible bout of road rage on a Good-lettsville highway.
Charles Myres, 45, and Justin Bennett, 32, have been charged with vehicular homicide and two counts of aggravated assault in the March 23 death of Sharon Myres and injury of two others. Police and prosecutors have said the case is unusual in that two drivers are being held responsible for Sharon Myres’ death.
“In most serious accidents, it was very clear cut that one driver was at fault,” said Goodlettsville Police Chief Richard Pope. “In this situation, based on the witnesses’ statements and the investigation, it appears that both drivers involved were involved in some sort of aggressive driving.”
While police and prosecutors would not spell out the exact nature of the “aggressive driving,” court records hint at an escalation between two pickup truck drivers that led to speeding, cut-offs, attempts to wreck each other and ultimately a collision that sent both trucks into oncoming traffic, sealing Sharon Myres’ fate.
But each pass attempt was stymied as Bennett cut off Myres, according to court records.
As the confrontation continued south on Springfield Highway, the two trucks collided, sending them into oncoming traffic. There, they hit a 2011 Kia Optima and a 1993 Ford Bronco. Both of those drivers were injured, the driver of the Bronco seriously. Charles Myres also was seriously injured. His wife died in the crash.
Police said there weren’t any indications of drug or alcohol use, and the two drivers didn’t appear to know each other before the crash. Pope said that they have multiple witnesses.
Sumner County District Attorney General Ray Whitely said that there have been cases of multiple defendants in a single vehicular homicide case, but it is very rare. But he said the logic behind charging Charles Myres is sound.
“You don’t have a right to kill your own spouse,” he said. “ I know he didn’t intend for it … but she’s dead because of what he was doing.”
If convicted of vehicular homicide, both men could face three to six years behind bars. Police are asking anyone who may have witnessed the crash to call 615-859-3405.
Charles Myres, 45, and Justin Bennett, 32, have been charged with vehicular homicide and two counts of aggravated assault in the March 23 death of Sharon Myres and injury of two others. Police and prosecutors have said the case is unusual in that two drivers are being held responsible for Sharon Myres’ death.
“In most serious accidents, it was very clear cut that one driver was at fault,” said Goodlettsville Police Chief Richard Pope. “In this situation, based on the witnesses’ statements and the investigation, it appears that both drivers involved were involved in some sort of aggressive driving.”
While police and prosecutors would not spell out the exact nature of the “aggressive driving,” court records hint at an escalation between two pickup truck drivers that led to speeding, cut-offs, attempts to wreck each other and ultimately a collision that sent both trucks into oncoming traffic, sealing Sharon Myres’ fate.
Crash leads to death
The crash occurred at about 5 p.m. on Springfield Highway near Oakbluff Lane in Sumner County, just north of the Davidson County line. Witnesses told police that a Ford F-150 that police later said was driven by Bennett was driving south, just in front of a Nissan Titan driven by Charles Myres. Court records show witnesses saw Bennett slam on his brakes, in an apparent attempt to cause a rear-end crash, and Charles Myres attempted to pass the F-150.But each pass attempt was stymied as Bennett cut off Myres, according to court records.
As the confrontation continued south on Springfield Highway, the two trucks collided, sending them into oncoming traffic. There, they hit a 2011 Kia Optima and a 1993 Ford Bronco. Both of those drivers were injured, the driver of the Bronco seriously. Charles Myres also was seriously injured. His wife died in the crash.
Police said there weren’t any indications of drug or alcohol use, and the two drivers didn’t appear to know each other before the crash. Pope said that they have multiple witnesses.
Sumner County District Attorney General Ray Whitely said that there have been cases of multiple defendants in a single vehicular homicide case, but it is very rare. But he said the logic behind charging Charles Myres is sound.
“You don’t have a right to kill your own spouse,” he said. “ I know he didn’t intend for it … but she’s dead because of what he was doing.”
If convicted of vehicular homicide, both men could face three to six years behind bars. Police are asking anyone who may have witnessed the crash to call 615-859-3405.
at 615-726-8968
or bhaas@tennessean.com.
This is hear say.
ReplyDeleteNo one can prove it was Charles's fault in the photos that I have seen look all Bennett he has a history a long one.
Charles was passing by to get to us kids court order wen someone wanted to be reckless and kill my stepmom.
He will regret of what he did to us and Sharon's family.