NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — A Nashville man is behind bars after surrendering on warrants connected to a November 2025 head-on crash on Clarksville Pike that killed a DeKalb County father and seriously injured his wife and daughter.
Metro Police say 61-year-old James Brewington Jr. turned himself in Thursday on charges including vehicular homicide by reckless conduct, reckless endangerment, and three counts of aggravated assault. He is being held in Davidson County pending his next court date, which has not yet been announced.
Investigators say Brewington's pickup truck crossed into oncoming traffic while attempting to pass a turning vehicle, slamming head-on into the Jeep carrying 41-year-old Dustin McLeod, his wife Ashley, and their daughter. Dustin was killed. Ashley and the couple's daughter survived with serious injuries.
Ashley McLeod said the family was on their way to hang Christmas lights when the crash happened.
"And all of a sudden a car came out in front of us and it just all happened really fast. I just saw like the flash of red and then everything was kind of in slow motion," Ashley said.
Ashley described the terrifying moments of impact.
"I watched my daughter's body like go around her seatbelt. I watched my husband fly forward. And I got hit with the airbag. It knocked the wind out of me for several minutes. And everything was kind of like a blur, but very clear if that makes sense, right after," Ashley said.
The chaos did not end with the collision.
"The car caught on fire and my husband wasn't responding to me. My daughter was screaming in the back seat," Ashley said.
Ashley said her daughter spent months in a neck brace, while her own shattered leg required multiple surgeries. The family has also faced significant financial hardship in the months since the crash.
"I had to sublet my house out to be able to afford the bills. We've been struggling physically, mentally, emotionally, financially," she said.
Nearly 8 months after the crash, Ashley described Brewington's surrender as a relief — but said seeing his face for the first time was difficult.
"I got the message when we were sitting there, and it was kind of a relief, but I hadn't seen his face until today. So that was a bit jarring."
She said no arrest can bring back her husband or undo what her family has endured, but the charges bring a sense that justice may be beginning.
"It's definitely a relief to know that justice will be done in whatever way that's gonna happen; that is relieving," Ashley said.
Ashley remembered her husband as someone whose warmth and humor left a lasting impression on everyone who knew him.
"He's the most genuine human being that you will ever meet. He was just the realest person. He had the best sense of humor. He's just an incredible man."
This story was reported on-air by journalist Kelsey Gibbs and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
Kelsey Gibbs brings us a powerful story of humanity, compassion, and love in action while showing us the hard and lifesaving work our officers do daily. Nashville is lucky to have people like Lt. Hotz wearing the badge.
- Carrie Sharp
