KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Update (8/25): A Maryville man suspected of hitting and killing a pedestrian in a crash on Kingston Pike on Monday had his charges upgraded Thursday during a court appearance.
44-year-old Shannon Walker is charged with vehicular homicide and DUI in the death of 24-year-old Ben Kredich. On Thursday, a judge agreed to upgrade a charge from a Class C felony to a Class B felony, meaning Walker would face more time in prison if convicted.
Walker is due back in court on Sept. 5.
Original Story:
The Knoxville Police Department arrested and charged a Maryville man suspected of hitting and killing a pedestrian in a crash on Kingston Pike on Monday.
Family identified the victim as 24-year-old Ben Kredich, son of Matt Kredich, who is the Director of Swimming and Diving at the University of Tennessee. The Medical Examiner's Officer confirmed his identity on Wednesday morning, according to KPD.
"Our hearts ache as an athletics department and are filled with sorrow in regards to the tragic and senseless death of Ben Kredich, son of Matt and Kim. We ask all of Vol Nation to keep the Kredich family in their thoughts and prayers. May God rest Ben’s beautiful soul," Danny White, UT's Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics, said.
UT Chancellor Donde Plowman said Ben was a graduate of UT's FUTURE program, saying she was heartbroken.
RELATED: KPD: Impaired driver killed 24-year-old who helped pave the way for children with special needs
"We are heartbroken for Matt, Kim and the Kredich family. As a graduate of UT’s FUTURE program, Ben enriched our community and showed us what courage looks like. The Kredich family is part of our Volunteer family, and we will support them as they process this terrible tragedy," she said.
According to KPD, officers responded to a "serious crash" on Kingston Pike at 4 p.m. on Monday near Thimbleberry Way.
44-year-old Shannon Walker was driving a black minivan east on Kingston Pike when he crossed both lanes of traffic and drove onto the sidewalk, hitting and killing Ben, KPD said in its arrest report.
He then crashed into a pole and wrecked at the entrance of the Second Presbyterian church at 2829 Kingston Pike.
According to KPD, Ben was pronounced dead at the scene and Walker was found unresponsive with his car engine still running.
KPD said Walker claimed to have passed out and woke up where they found him. KPD said his speech was slurred and was making "spontaneous utterances." When officers asked him for his identification, they said Walker uttered, "I can't believe I killed someone."
In the arrest report, KPD said it discovered Walker had been taken to the hospital shortly before the crash after he was found unresponsive in his vehicle. AMR responded and gave him Narcan to wake him up around 1:55 p.m. Police said AMR took him to Parkwest Hospital where he refused further treatment and was released around 3:20 p.m. -- which was roughly 30 minutes before the crash.
After searching Walker's vehicle, officers said they found various narcotics, including what they believed was heroin.
KPD issued a search warrant for a blood draw. UT Medical Center conducted a blood draw and medically cleared Walker.
Walker was then taken into custody and charged with vehicular homicide and DUI among other charges stemming from the crash, according to a release.
