MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - A special prosecutor calls a crash involving a Rutherford County Sheriff's detective a homicide.
Detective Sgt. Ron Killings was driving an unmarked cruiser, when he struck and killed 11-year-old Lakeisha White of Hopkinsville, Ky. It happened in July when Lakeisha was visiting relatives in Murfreesboro.
Killings was not charged with any crime. Witnesses said they saw him throw liquor bottles out of his cruiser.
Blood tests taken more than two hours after the incident did not detect any alcohol in his system.
"I just want justice served and the truth to come out," said a relative.
Temporary District Attorney Joe Baugh referred to the crash as the "Killings Vehicle Homicide Case," according to internal documents.
Surveillance video released earlier this year showed Killings entering a convenience store for a Gatorade moments after the crash.
It angered Lakeisha's family that the detective was allowed to leave the scene.
In a letter to the police department, City Manager Roger Haley wrote, "I question who was actually in charge based on the removal of Sergeant Killings and his vehicle from the scene."
Two investigators have since been punished.
It remains unclear if Killings will be indicted on vehicular homicide charges.
Rutherford County Sheriff Truman Jones said Killings has his full support and the detective remains on the job.
Lakeisha has a $7.5 million wrongful death lawsuit filed against the sheriff's office, Rutherford County Department and Killings.
Sgt. Ron Killings
Lakeisha White
