Vehicular Homicide Sends Drugged Driver To Prison

Prosecutors with District Attorney General Charme P. Allen’s DUI Unit obtained a conviction today for a vehicular homicide case where the driver was intoxicated by three types of prescription drugs. Ricky Blaine Myers, 55, pled guilty to Vehicular Homicide and was sentenced to serve twelve years in prison.

On September 18, 2013, Myers drove his truck over the centerline into oncoming traffic on Strawberry Plains Pike near Wooddale Church. While in the wrong lane, he crashed into an oncoming vehicle, killing the driver, Cynthia Cross. Knox County Sheriff’s Officer Tim Belcher discovered multiple prescription pill bottles in Myers’ possession. While at the hospital, Myers’ blood was collected and showed he was under the influence of oxycodone, diphenhydramine, and alprazolam.

DA Charme Allen stated,”Tragedies like this one are completely avoidable. The number of DUI cases involving prescription drug intoxication has skyrocketed in the past few years. People need to realize that drugged driving is the same as drunk driving.”

In addition to pleading guilty to Vehicular Homicide, prosecutors also labeled Myers a Habitual Motor Vehicle Offender. Under this circumstance, it is a felony offense for Myers to ever drive a car again.

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.