MONROE COUNTY, Tenn. — On Aug. 10, 2020, Sierra Moses and her husband, Joe Moses, were driving in Monroe County. A suspect, Joey Miller, crashed into them while fleeing from police.
Both Sierra and Joe were taken to the hospital, and doctors had to amputate her arm. They could not save her husband, who struggled to stay alive. He ended up having a pulmonary embolism and died in the hospital.
"A lot of people say everything happens for a reason, but I don't want to feel like anything like this should happen to anybody," she said. "They let my family come back and see me before I had surgery and I remember everyone standing around me and crying."
Around 1,500 days ago — Sierra's life changed and she said no amount of time or money could mend the tragedy.
"I was sitting on the couch at home, and he was in his bed talking about his burn blanket, and I fell asleep on the phone with him," she said. "At first, I didn't know what to do. I had lost my husband. I had lost my career.
She filed a lawsuit against the suspect and Monroe County in 2021. In August, the lawsuit was settled for around $350,000. Under Tennessee law, a deputy can't be held personally liable.
“It was a horrible situation and as a result of that negligence, it changed two people’s lives in the twinkle of an eye,” said T. Scott Jones, her attorney. "There will never be anywhere near enough money to compensate Mrs. Moses."
The case was settled through the Tennessee Governmental Tort Liability Act with the maximum payment to Sierra. The law limits the amount that can be paid out after crashes, ranging from $100,000 to $700,000 depending on the extent of damage and severity of any negligence counties are accused of.
“With the money I got from the lawsuit I can like start out and get a house and I have already purchased a car,” said Sierra.
She said will never heal the pain, and time would never erase her memories with Joe.
“He was a very loving person,” she said. “I am not touchy or feely, and I kind of wish I was, like after he’s gone and I miss that.”