The Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals has affirmed the convictions of Marlos LeKeith Tipton, a Dyersburg resident, for vehicular homicide and speeding, stemming from a fatal 2022 collision on Interstate 40. The tragic incident resulted in the death of 34-year-old Maria Morales Ortega, who was traveling with her family from Texas to Lebanon, Tennessee. Sadly, when the crash unfolded, they were on the last leg of their trip and almost to Lebanon.
According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Tipton was driving at an alarming speed of 101 miles per hour near the 106-mile marker on I-40 when the crash occurred. Following a bench trial, he was found guilty and subsequently sought to overturn the verdict.
In his appeal, Tipton argued that the trial court's refusal to provide funding for a defense expert in vehicle collisions deprived him of a fair trial. He also contended that the evidence was insufficient to support his vehicular homicide conviction, asserting that excessive speed alone did not constitute reckless conduct.
After a thorough review, the appellate court disagreed with Tipton's assertions and upheld the original convictions. The court's decision was filed on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, effectively denying Tipton's appeal and affirming the judgments of the trial court.
49-Year-old Tipton is scheduled for release from prison in year 2036. At that point, he will be 60 years of age. He is being held in the Hardeman County Correctional Complex.