KNOXVILLE, Tennessee — A Corryton man has been found guilty of driving drunk and causing a head-on crash that killed a Washburn, Tenn., man in 2021.
Dennis W. Hill's Knox County Criminal Court trial started last week and wrapped up Wednesday with the jury's guilty verdict. Judge Hector Sanchez then ordered Hill, 68, to be taken into custody.
He faces sentencing Nov. 8, according to the Knox County District Attorney General's Office. Jurors found him guilty of vehicular homicide by intoxication and DUI.
Range of punishment for vehicular homicide is eight to 12 years.
Hill collided with and killed James Michael Elkins the night of Sept. 28, 2021, on Tazewell Pike. Prosecutors said Hill had consumed multiple margaritas that night before the crash.
He was driving a 2001 Ford; the victim drove a 2013 GMC truck, according to court testimony.
Tennessee Highway Patrol Trooper John Capps testified Hill drove partly off the right side of the pike more than 200 feet before accelerating back onto the road and then hitting Elkins' truck in oncoming traffic.
Elkins died in the crash. Hill was taken to the hospital. When his blood was tested, hours after getting to the hospital, showed a blood-alcohol level of 0.094 percent.
Last week, as Hill's trial was underway, one of the jurors in Hill's case failed to show up in the morning to hear proof. Sanchez issued a show cause order that could have led to a contempt of court conviction. He then made her sit in court to watch the proceedings from the audience.
Knox County judges told WBIR it's unacceptable for anyone to skip out on jury duty while they're in the middle of it. Judges said they make of point of accommodating citizens' needs and emergencies. But everyone summoned or impaneled on a jury has a duty to serve.
Attorney Nate Ogle represents Hill. Prosecutors Mitch Eisenberg and Caleb Smothers represented the state.