A Clarksville man has been charged with vehicular homicide by intoxication after a fatal hit-and-run crash took place on Interstate 24.
The wreck happened near mile marker 33 in northern Davidson County near Joelton around 1:15 a.m. Saturday.
Authorities were notified of a serious crash involving a white Chevrolet Impala that hit a guardrail.
At the scene, officials discovered the driver of the Impala, identified as 47-year-old Lonnie Bumpus, of Cunningham, had passed away.
His passenger was identified as his wife, 40-year-old Kisha Bumpus. She sustained minor injuries.
According to reports, it was obvious to authorities that a second vehicle had been involved in the crash. Red paint was found on the white Impala, which also had significant damage to the rear.
Officials were told by a semi-truck driver that he had almost been hit by a speeding red Dodge Magnum. Authorities immediately sent out the vehicle’s description to law enforcement agencies, including the Tennessee Highway Patrol.
Metro officers soon learned that a THP trooper had stopped the Magnum as it was traveling 99 miles per hour on Interstate 24 in Montgomery County.
The Magnum had damage, and authorities also found white paint.
The driver was identified as 35-year-old Earl Ali, of Clarksville. Officials said Ali smelled strongly of alcohol.
Ali was taken to Nashville where authorities executed a search warrant. A blood sample was also obtained.
A preliminary investigation showed the Magnum hit the Impala from behind causing the Impala to veer left and strike the guardrail as the Magnum fled from the scene.
Ali has been charged with vehicular homicide by intoxication, vehicular assault, and leaving the scene of a crash involving death.
He was being held in lieu of a $122,000 bond.
