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Former Smith deputy charged with homicide in case of missing man's death

Posted at 8:45 PM, Feb 19, 2019
and last updated 2019-02-19 23:09:49-05

TROUSDALE COUNTY, Tenn. (WTVF) — After a nine-month investigation, a former Smith deputy has been arrested in connection to the death of Donovan Crittendon in June of last year.

According to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, on June 3, Keith Holder crashed his personal vehicle into the Cumberland River in Trousdale County. Holder got to shore, but his passenger, Donovan Crittendon, died when the vehicle submerged into the river.

The TBI says Holder swam to shore and left the scene but District Attorney General Tommy Thompson told NewsChannel 5, Holder was rescued by a fisherman. Either way, Crittendon was left behind.

Holder did not immediately report he was with Crittendon. However, reports were later made that Holder was showing him local fishing spots in Trousdale County when the incident happened.

Crittendon's body was found six days later in the Cumberland.

On Tuesday, the Trousdale County Grand Jury returned indictments charging Keith Holder with vehicular homicide and five lesser charges: one count of Vehicular Homicide by Intoxication, one count of Vehicular Homicide by Recklessness, one count of Criminally Negligent Homicide, one count of Leaving the Scene of an Accident Involving Death, one count of DUI, and one count of Fraud of Insurance Claim.

Holder was arrested at his Carthage residence Tuesday night and booked into the Trousdale County Jail. His bond was set at $75,000.