KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — A grand jury determined the death of a woman and a Meigs County deputy back in February was "a terrible accident," according to a grand jury report Monday.
According to District Attorney Russell Johnson, Deputy RJ Leonard responded to a call and arrested a woman on Feb. 14, 2024. While transporting her to jail, Leonard accidentally drove off Blythe Ferry Lane into the Hiwassee River. Neither Leonard nor Smith survived.
Leonard's cruiser was found in the river the next morning. Smith's body, covered in a deep layer of mud and silt, was found in the backseat. She was handcuffed, according to Johnson. Leonard's body was found submerged.
The grand jury recommended Meigs County place barriers and/or a gate in the area to prevent this from happening again. They also recommended a warning light similar to the fog warning lights on I-75 near the Hiwassee River, or at least warning lights that operate continually in order to warn unsuspecting drivers.
The grand jury wants Meigs County to provide funding for GPS navigation systems in all Meigs County Sheriff's patrol vehicles.
Leonard had only recently begun working as a Meigs County deputy. He was from New York and graduated from the academy in December.
During a press conference, Judge Casey Stokes said the road can be dangerous, especially at night and for people who aren't familiar with the area.
