Drag Racer Sentenced to Twelve Years in Prison

DA Charme Allen announces that prosecutors in the Major Crimes Unit obtained a twelve-year sentence against a drag racer who killed a grandfather and seriously injured his two grandchildren.  Trinity Divine Clark, 24, was convicted of Vehicular Homicide, Aggravated Assault, and Drag Racing.  At a sentencing hearing today, Judge Scott Green ordered Clark to serve twelve years in the Tennessee Department of Correction.

In a three-day trial in August, Deputy District Attorney Leland Price and Assistant District Attorney Joe Welker explained to the jury that on January 17, 2023, Clark and co-defendant Tra’shawn Glass were drag racing down Magnolia Avenue at around 3:00 PM on a Tuesday afternoon when they violently collided with another vehicle turning left.  The impact of the wreck killed the driver of that vehicle, seriously injured his two grandchildren, and scattered debris across the road.  Clark admitted to Knoxville Police Department officers that she had been racing.  KPD officer and crash reconstructionist Sam Young led the investigation which included obtaining surveillance video of the crash and GoPro video and statements from citizens who stopped to render aid to the victims.  Tennessee Highway Patrol Trooper John Capps testified that data recovered from Clark’s vehicle showed that she was traveling at 109 miles per hour seconds before the crash.

“I have no doubt that the two child victims in this case are alive today because of the courageous citizens who jumped into action to render aid immediately after this horrendous wreck,” said DA Allen.

Vehicular Homicide by Drag Racing is a Class C felony that carries a punishment between three and six years. Reckless Aggravated Assault is a Class D felony carrying a punishment from two to four years.  Co-defendant Tra’Shawn Glass previously pled guilty to Vehicular Homicide and two counts of Reckless Aggravated Assault and was sentenced to serve twelve years in prison.  Assistant Victim Witness Coordinator Kim Strike and Legal Secretary Connie Watts 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.