Career Offender Convicted of Vehicular Homicide

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s Career Gang Unit obtained convictions against a man who killed another motorist while evading arrest.  Larry Wayne Hipps, 38, pled guilty to Vehicular Homicide, Reckless Endangerment with a Deadly Weapon, and Evading Arrest.  Judge Hector Sanchez approved a sentence of eleven years to serve in the Tennessee Department of Correction.

In a plea colloquy, Assistant District Attorneys Oscar Butler and Willie Lane explained to the Court that on July 9, 2021, officers with the Knox County Sheriff’s Office responded to a notification of a stolen vehicle at a car wash on Central Avenue Pike.  Upon arrival, officers saw Hipps washing the car and asked to speak with him.  Hipps quickly entered the driver’s seat and began to evade officers at a high rate of speed. Officers followed Hipps as he sped near Rifle Range Road.  Officers lost contact with Hipps until they discovered that he crashed into another vehicle. The impact of the crash pinned the victim’s vehicle into a guard rail. The victim was taken to the hospital by ambulance with significant injuries and was pronounced dead just hours later.  Hipps fled the scene on foot but was apprehended shortly thereafter. 

“Thanks to the hard work of everyone involved, this career offender will be off our streets for several years,” said DA Charme Allen.

Hipps has prior criminal convictions out of Greene County with two felony convictions for Evading Arrest and six felony convictions for Theft.  Assistant Victim Witness Coordinator Madison Keel aided in the prosecution of this case.

If you have any questions, please contact Sean McDermott at 865-215-2515 or Sean.McDermott@knoxcounty.org. For more information about the District Attorney’s Office, visit our website at dag.knoxcountytn.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.