According to a press release by 31st Judicial District Attorney General Chris Stanford, On Monday, October 23, 2023, Cory E. Nash was caught by radar operated by a Van Buren County Sheriff’s Deputy traveling at an extremely high rate of speed in a black Camaro traveling Northbound on State Route 111 near Charcoal Road. Van Buren County deputies then attempted to catch up to Nash but were not successful in doing so due to Nash driving at excessive speeds while evading the attempted stop of Nash’s vehicle by law enforcement. Nash continued to travel at reckless speeds through Van Buren County, while passing other drivers, until he ultimately crossed into the southbound lane of State Route 111. Despite placing his vehicle in the southbound land of travel, Nash continued to travel in a northbound direction, and continued driving, at a high rate of speed, directly into the path of oncoming southbound traffic.
While continuing to travel at a high rate of speed in the wrong direction, Nash nearly struck a school bus with his car. Very soon after Nash’s near miss with the school bus and near mile marker 16 on State Route 111, Nash recklessly hit a car operated by Tristan Carter. Tragically, Mr. Carter was quickly determined to be deceased upon an immediate check of his condition by law enforcement officials at the scene.
Nash was observed by Tennessee Highway Patrolman, Cole Stickler, to have pale skin and constricted pupils while acting sedated immediately following the collision. Nash was subsequently transported to Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga for treatment of his injuries.
As a result of the progress made in the investigation by the Tennessee Highway Patrol and the office of Chris Stanford, Mr. Nash was charged on November 8, 2023, with Reckless Vehicular Homicide, two counts of Felony Reckless Endangerment, Felony Evading Arrest (Rick of Death to Others) and Driving Under the Influence.