Victim's Family Says Justice System Failed

Posted:

Percy Thompson, according to police, killed Darius Marquise Buchanan, pictured above, a 3-year-old, who looked forward to trick-or-treating Saturday night.

Courtroom testimony the day before the accident revealed fears Percy Thompson,pictured above, if let out of jail, could kill someone. Just 12 hours after his release, Thompson, according to police, killed Buchanan.

Metro police said Thompson, behind the wheel of his girlfriend’s Lexus, crossed the median on Brick Church Pike and Broad-sided a Ford Taurus.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Percy Thompson was out of the hospital and back in jail Sunday night on charges of vehicular homicide. Police said that Thompson caused a wreck that killed a 3-year-old boy.

Many were not surprised by the vehicular homicide charge because Thompson has a lengthy criminal history behind.

"He should not have been on the road. My baby should still be here," said Paige Buchanon.

Buchanon's 3-year-old son, Darius Marquise, was killed Saturday in an accident that some said could have been avoided.

Courtroom testimony the day before the accident revealed very real fears that Thompson, if let out of jail, could kill someone. Then just 12 hours after his release, Thompson, according to police, killed Darius, an innocent 3-year-old who looked forward to trick-or-treating Saturday night.

"It's sad that somebody would want to take a child's life, and he took it with no remorse. It's like, as soon as he heard me say, 'My baby,' he took off!" Buchanon said.

Sensitivity doesn't seem to be high on Thompson's list, according to those who know him. His list of offenses is lengthy: 59 arrests by Metro Police. Thompson is only 23-years-old, and he is already a convicted felon for robbery.

Thompson was released from the Davidson County jail on Friday. Not long after this release, he picked up his most serious charge yet - vehicular homicide.

"He was speeding -- I mean, it was like he was a lightning bolt toward a car. There was no way we could have dodged him or anything," explained Buchanon. "Please do not give him another slap on the wrist," she said regarding Thompson's punishment.

Metro police said Thompson, behind the wheel of his girlfriend's Lexus, crossed the median on Brick Church Pike and broad-sided the Ford Taurus that carried Buchanon and Darius.

Darius was strapped in the backseat on the side that was hit. The 3-year-old was not ejected as police first thought; however, he was killed almost instantly.

A Nashville couple, once victimized by Thompson said they begged Judge Mark Fishburn on Friday to keep him behind bars. Still, he was released reportedly wearing an ankle device for tracking purposes.

Witnesses to Saturday's crash said Thompson had been drinking, and that he left the scene in his girlfriend's Lexus, eventually attempting to flee on-foot.