Drunk Driver Convicted of Killing Two Victims

DA Charme Allen announces that prosecutors in the DUI Unit obtained multiple convictions against a drunk driver who fled from Union County officers, crashed in Knox County, killed two victims, and injured a third.  Jose Roberto Rivera-Recarte, 40, was convicted of two counts of Vehicular Homicide by Intoxication, Reckless Aggravated Assault, and Reckless Endangerment.  Judge Hector Sanchez accepted the plea and ordered Rivera-Recarte to serve sixteen years in prison without the possibility of parole.

In a plea hearing, Assistant District Attorney Mitch Eisenberg explained to the court that on December 4, 2025, Rivera-Recarte was drinking at a bar in Union County.  A witness offered to give him a ride because he was intoxicated, but Rivera-Recarte refused and started driving southbound on Maynardville Pike toward Knox County.  The witness called the Union County Sheriff’s Office to report the impaired driving.  Union County officers found Rivera-Recarte and attempted to stop him, but he fled from officers.  Rivera-Recarte then crossed the median and crashed into two other vehicles, killing two people and injuring a third.  Tennessee Highway Patrol troopers responded to the scene and questioned Rivera-Recarte.  He did not have a driver’s license or insurance and handed over a Honduran passport.  Rivera-Recarte initially stated he only consumed one drink and later said he had not consumed any alcohol.  He performed poorly on field sobriety tests and was taken into custody.  Troopers obtained a search warrant for a blood sample, and testing conducted by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation showed Rivera-Recarte’s blood alcohol content to be 0.165, more than twice the legal limit.

“Two families are grieving the loss of their loved ones and another victim was injured because of the selfish choices of a drunk driver who turned down a free ride home,” said DA Allen.

After serving his sentence in prison, Rivera-Recarte will be released to federal authorities to face deportation proceedings.  Assistant Victim Witness Coordinator and Legal Secretary Lauren Ward 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.