My Mom called me today to remind me that she loves me and is always praying for me. She told me that one of the gentleman at her church was recently killed in a motorcycle wreck while on vacation. Very sad story, but I thought I would pass along her sentiments to all you folks....BE CAREFUL AND RIDE SAFE :hug:
Here is the news article
Woman arrested in I-40 death Police say she called and said she was driver who fled crash that killed motorcyclist
By DON JACOBS, [email protected]
September 17, 2005
A 52-year-old Knoxville woman called police Thursday night to say she was the driver who fled 11 hours earlier from a crash that left a Missouri motorcyclist dying on Interstate 40, authorities said. Darcus Johnson called the Knoxville Police Department at 7:15 p.m. from her place of employment, ending a daylong search for the driver of a gold Ford Taurus involved in the crash, said Darrell DeBusk, spokesman for the Police Department.
DeBusk said Johnson's call to police was prompted by media reports about the crash.
Police charged Johnson with reckless vehicular homicide and leaving the scene of an accident. She was released Friday from the Knox County Sheriff's Detention Facility after posting a $5,000 bond, authorities said.
Johnson is accused of killing David Mike Perkins, a 56-year-old Smithville, Mo., man who was enjoying a ride on his newly purchased Honda Gold Wing motorcycle.
Perkins was westbound on I-40 in the inside lane about 8:10 a.m. Thursday near the Alcoa Highway exit when a Taurus moved to the left from the center lane and struck the motorcycle. Police said the motorcycle, with Perkins trapped on it, was shoved about 200 feet on the front of the Taurus before the rider fell aside.
DeBusk said the Taurus continued to push the motorcycle another 800 feet on the shoulder of I-40 before it dislodged. The Taurus then re-entered the traffic lane, striking another car in the rear, and fled.
DeBusk said Johnson gave police a statement about the incident, but he declined to provide details. Police impounded Johnson's gold 2000 Ford Taurus.
DeBusk said Johnson told officers she was en route to work on Innovation Drive in West Knox County off Pellissippi Parkway when the crash occurred.
Perkins was rushed to the University of Tennessee Medical Center, but he died about an hour after the wreck, DeBusk said.
Perkins was a Sunday school teacher and music minister of Grace Community Church in Smithville, MO said Shirley Webb, church secretary. The Southern Baptist church serves a community of about 6,000 people.
"He's a good Christian man who will be missed greatly," Webb said.
Perkins, who was called Mike by his friends, was en route to Chattanooga when the crash occurred. He was to join his wife, Diana, at their daughter's home in Chattanooga, Webb said.
That daughter, Kelley Perkins, had recently completed a mission to Honduras, Webb said. The couple's other daughter, Michelle Perkins, had just finished a four-year mission to Africa. The Perkins' only son, Tim Perkins, is in college and considering a call to the ministry, Webb said.
When Diana Perkins flew to Chattanooga, Webb said, she brought her motorcycle helmet. The couple planned to ride in the Smoky Mountains on the bike Mike Perkins bought just weeks before.
Mike Perkins, Webb said, was maintenance supervisor of the Smithville public school system.
Here is the news article
Woman arrested in I-40 death Police say she called and said she was driver who fled crash that killed motorcyclist
By DON JACOBS, [email protected]
September 17, 2005
A 52-year-old Knoxville woman called police Thursday night to say she was the driver who fled 11 hours earlier from a crash that left a Missouri motorcyclist dying on Interstate 40, authorities said. Darcus Johnson called the Knoxville Police Department at 7:15 p.m. from her place of employment, ending a daylong search for the driver of a gold Ford Taurus involved in the crash, said Darrell DeBusk, spokesman for the Police Department.
DeBusk said Johnson's call to police was prompted by media reports about the crash.
Police charged Johnson with reckless vehicular homicide and leaving the scene of an accident. She was released Friday from the Knox County Sheriff's Detention Facility after posting a $5,000 bond, authorities said.
Johnson is accused of killing David Mike Perkins, a 56-year-old Smithville, Mo., man who was enjoying a ride on his newly purchased Honda Gold Wing motorcycle.
Perkins was westbound on I-40 in the inside lane about 8:10 a.m. Thursday near the Alcoa Highway exit when a Taurus moved to the left from the center lane and struck the motorcycle. Police said the motorcycle, with Perkins trapped on it, was shoved about 200 feet on the front of the Taurus before the rider fell aside.
DeBusk said the Taurus continued to push the motorcycle another 800 feet on the shoulder of I-40 before it dislodged. The Taurus then re-entered the traffic lane, striking another car in the rear, and fled.
DeBusk said Johnson gave police a statement about the incident, but he declined to provide details. Police impounded Johnson's gold 2000 Ford Taurus.
DeBusk said Johnson told officers she was en route to work on Innovation Drive in West Knox County off Pellissippi Parkway when the crash occurred.
Perkins was rushed to the University of Tennessee Medical Center, but he died about an hour after the wreck, DeBusk said.
Perkins was a Sunday school teacher and music minister of Grace Community Church in Smithville, MO said Shirley Webb, church secretary. The Southern Baptist church serves a community of about 6,000 people.
"He's a good Christian man who will be missed greatly," Webb said.
Perkins, who was called Mike by his friends, was en route to Chattanooga when the crash occurred. He was to join his wife, Diana, at their daughter's home in Chattanooga, Webb said.
That daughter, Kelley Perkins, had recently completed a mission to Honduras, Webb said. The couple's other daughter, Michelle Perkins, had just finished a four-year mission to Africa. The Perkins' only son, Tim Perkins, is in college and considering a call to the ministry, Webb said.
When Diana Perkins flew to Chattanooga, Webb said, she brought her motorcycle helmet. The couple planned to ride in the Smoky Mountains on the bike Mike Perkins bought just weeks before.
Mike Perkins, Webb said, was maintenance supervisor of the Smithville public school system.
