Police: “a black 2005 Mercedes C230 4-door sedan, driven and solely occupied by Zachary D. Hunt of Unicoi, TN, was unlawfully traveling the wrong way, eastbound in the westbound lanes of I-26, at the same location.”
| SUBJECT: | Suspect Arrested for Vehicular Homicide by Intoxication Following Investigation into September 2019 Fatal I-26 Crash | ||
| DATE: | December 4, 2019 | ||
| CASE #: | 19-020414 (Crash Report)19-028450 (Incident Report) | ||
| GENERAL NARRATIVE | |||
| On September 1, 2019, at approximately 5:15 AM, Kingsport Police Patrol Officers responded to a motor vehicle collision on westbound Interstate 26 near mile-marker 6 (Rock Springs Road exit) in Kingsport. Based on the seriousness of the injuries to those involved, the K.P.D. Traffic Unit was called to the scene to investigate. Their initial findings at the time were as follows: A dark blue 2008 Honda Accord 4-door sedan, driven and solely occupied by Margaret C. Buck of Johnson City, TN, was lawfully traveling westbound on I-26 near mile marker 6. Meanwhile, a black 2005 Mercedes C230 4-door sedan, driven and solely occupied by Zachary D. Hunt of Unicoi, TN, was unlawfully traveling the wrong way, eastbound in the westbound lanes of I-26, at the same location. The Mercedes struck the Honda in a head-on impact. Both drivers were transported to a local hospital for emergency medical treatment, Mr. Hunt with non-incapacitating injuries, but Ms. Buck with serious/incapacitating injuries. The westbound lanes of Interstate 26 were completely closed for over three hours to allow for the initial treatment and transportation of the injured, the thorough investigation of the crash, and the safe removal of any and all involved vehicles and related debris.The following day, on September 2, 2019 at approximately 9:00 PM, Margaret C. Buck succumbed to injuries sustained in the crash and died while still hospitalized. This has remained an active ongoing investigation by the K.P.D. Traffic Unit since the date of the crash. Early in the investigation, it was determined that Mr. Hunt entered Interstate 26 in his black Mercedes sedan going the wrong way (eastbound in the westbound lanes) via an I-26 exit (rather than entrance) ramp at the intersection of John B. Dennis Highway and Wilcox Drive.Based on officer observations, witness statements, and evidence found at the scene, Investigators had sufficient cause to believe that alcohol consumption by Mr. Hunt was a significant factor in the crash. A warrant was obtained for a blood sample which was in turn sent to the T.B.I Crime Lab for analysis. The results received on October 2, 2019, revealed that Mr. Hunt had a blood alcohol content (BAC) of over two and a half times the legal limit. On November 20, 2019, the facts of this case were presented to a Sullivan County Grand Jury which returned a true bill of indictment. On November 25, 2019, a capias/bench warrant was issued charging Mr. Hunt with the following: 1) Vehicle Homicide by Intoxication 2) Vehicular Homicide 3) Felony Reckless Endangerment 4) Driving Under the Influence 5) DUI with BAC over 0.08% 6) DUI with BAC over 0.20% Kingsport Police say that on the afternoon of December 4, 2019, Hunt turned himself in on the outstanding warrant, surrendering himself to authorities at the Kingsport Justice Center. He was processed in the Kingsport City Jail and then transferred to the Sullivan County Jail in Blountville where he will remain confined in lieu of a $25,000 bond. |
| SUSPECT INFORMATION | |
| Name | Zachary D. Hunt |
| Age | Date of Birth 7/23/1996; 23 Years of Age |
| Gender/Race | Male/White |
| Residency | 225 Washington Street, Unicoi, TN |
| Charge(s) | 1) Vehicle Homicide by Intoxication 2) Vehicular Homicide 3) Felony Reckless Endangerment 4) Driving Under the Influence 5) DUI with BAC over 0.08% 6) DUI with BAC over 0.20% |
| COLLISION VEHICLE #1 INFORMATION | ||
| Make | Honda | |
| Model | Accord | |
| Year | 2008 | |
| Type | 4-door sedan | |
| Color | Dark Blue | |
| Damage | Disabling Damage | |
| Driver | Name | Margaret C. Buck |
| Age | 47 Years of Age | |
| Gender/Race | Female/White | |
| Residency | Johnson City, TN | |
| Injuries | Fatal |
| COLLISION VEHICLE #2 INFORMATION | ||
| Make | Mercedes | |
| Model | C230 | |
| Year | 2005 | |
| Type | 4-door sedan | |
| Color | Black | |
| Damage | Disabling Damage | |
| Driver | Name | Zachary D. Hunt |
| Age | 23 Years of Age | |
| Gender/Race | Male/White | |
| Residency | Unicoi, TN | |
| Injuries | Non-Incapacitating Injuries |
Margaret “Cheyanne” Buck, age 47, of Johnson City, TN, died from injuries sustained in a head-on collision on I-26 on September 1, 2019.
Cheyanne was born on August 21, 1972, to Johnny Hoyt King Jr. and Vivian Ann Richards in Kingsport, TN.
Cheyanne is survived by her husband, Tim Buck; son, Brandon Buck; mother and step-dad, Ann and Wayne Richards, of Johnson City; father and step-mom, John and Catherine King, of Fairhope, Alabama; and brother, Bronson King, of Oahu, Hawaii.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Emory and Polly Wolfe and John and Erma King.
Cheyanne’s family will receive friends from 4:00-6:00 p.m. on Monday, September 9, 2019, at Oak Grove Baptist Church, 311 Cypress St, Mt Carmel, TN 37645. Immediately following the visitation there will be a Celebration of Life service at 6:00 p.m., under the direction of Inez Burton and James McNeill.
Memorials are preferred to: www.gofundme.com/cheyanne-buck
Services
Visitation: September 9, 2019 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Oak Grove Baptist Church
311 Cypress St
Mt Carmel , TN 37645
(423) 357-7241
https://www.ogbchurch.org/
Celebration of Life: September 9, 2019 6:00 pm
Oak Grove Baptist Church
311 Cypress St
Mt Carmel , TN 37645
(423) 357-7241
https://www.ogbchurch.org/
Charities
The family greatly appreciates donations made to these charities in Margaret Cheyanne Buck ‘s name.
GoFundMe Fundraiser for Cheyanne Buck
Memories Timeline
View the Timeline Add a Memory to the Timeline
Add a Memory
×
