Here's an update on the three-vehicle fatal crash that occurred Friday (6/24/2016) afternoon on South Church Street near Veterans Parkway (formerly Barfield Road). It all started when a black Cadillac Escalade was stolen around 4:00 o'clock from the Coffee County Funeral Home on the McMinnville Highway in Manchester.
A high-speed pursuit began when Manchester Police and Coffee County Sheriffs Office deputies spotted the stolen vehicle. Police report that a short segment of that pursuit was in the wrong lane of traffic on the interstate. Fortunately, the SUV moved into the westbound lanes of I-24. When they reached the county line, Rutherford County deputies took over.
At exit 81, the chase left the interstate and traveled out South Church Street (toward Shelbyville). Murfreesboro Police joined sheriff's deputies at that point.
Woman Dies At Crash Scene
According to Tennessee Highway Patrol Sergeant Bill Miller, 28-year old Jennifer Campos was turning toward downtown onto South Church Street when the Nissan Altima in which she was driving was slammed on the driver's side door by the large Cadillac SUV. She was pronounced deceased at the scene. Authorities said that her 7-month old infant female daughter survived the crash, because of a child restraint seat.
Suspect Gives Wrong Name
The driver of the stolen SUV told police that he was 26-year old Murfreesboro resident. It has been learned that the suspect gave officials the wrong name.
He now has been identified as 28-year old Garieon Simmons of Decherd, Tennessee (RCSO mugstot, left photo).
The suspect continued a short distance outbound on South Church when he reportedly crossed the median and hit another vehicle head-on.
27-year old Katrina Sadler received non life-threatening injuries in that crash.
When NewsRadio WGNS checked with the Franklin County Sheriffs Office about Simmons, a spokesperson immediately replied, "Oh yeah we know him. He was a frequent flyer."
Multiple Charges on Garieon Simmons
The Cadillac Escalade finally rolled to a stop on the side of the roadway. The suspect was injured and taken by LifeFlight helicopter to the Vanderbilt Trauma Center.
He reportedly has been released to authorities.
Garieon Simmons of Decherd, Tennessee has been booked into the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center on charges of vehicular homicide, two counts of aggravated assault, driving on a revoked license, resisting arrest, violation of probation, and being a habitual motor vehicle offender.
