Impaired Driver Sentenced to Eleven Years for Vehicular Homicide

DA Charme Allen announces that prosecutors in the DUI Unit obtained an eleven-year sentence against an impaired driver who struck a motorcyclist while driving 91 miles per hour on Kingston Pike.  Christian Cade Elwood, 23, was convicted of Vehicular Homicide by Intoxication, Reckless Endangerment, Driving Under the Influence, and Speeding.  Judge Scott Green sentenced Elwood to serve eleven years in the Tennessee Department of Correction.

In a three-day trial in October, Assistant District Attorneys Mitch Eisenberg and Caleb Smothers explained to the jury that on July 23, 2022, at 10:45 PM, Knoxville Police Department Officer Jafar Flemming responded to a crash on Kingston Pike near Huxley Road.  The investigation uncovered that the victim was traveling eastbound on Kingston Pike by motorcycle.  At the same time, Elwood was traveling at 91 miles per hour down Kingston Pike, according to information recovered from his vehicle’s Event Data Recorder.  Elwood continued at that speed and struck the victim, causing his death.  Officers obtained a search warrant for Elwood’s blood, and subsequent testing by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation revealed Elwood’s blood alcohol content to be 0.091, above the legal limit.

“This senseless tragedy was completely avoidable, but a young man lost his life because of the choices made by an impaired driver,” said DA Allen.

Under Tennessee law, Elwood must serve the eleven years in prison without the possibility of parole.  Assistant Victim Witness Coordinator Brittany Wilhelmson 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.