At approximately 8:15 p.m. Monday, October 31, a 1992 Pontiac Grand Prix driven by Jaime Martinez Perez, age 18, of Chaffin Road was traveling north on Highway 10 south. According to witnesses, the vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed estimated at 90 miles per hour and weaving from side to side.

The driver lost control in a curve north of Rock Crusher Road according to Tennessee Highway Patrol Sgt. William “Butch” Avera. The vehicle ran off the east shoulder of the road where the vehicle overturned off the roadway facing southwest.

According to Sgt. Avera, at the same time several motorists stopped at the scene to render aid and call 911. One witness was a William Luther Roark from Red Boiling Springs. He reported that Perez passed him at a high rate of speed he believed him to be traveling approximately 90 miles per hour.

Two other witnesses at the scene were Derrick Wayne McDuffee, 36, of Hanestown Road and Timothy Garret McDuffee of Scottsville, KY.

Sgt. Avera reported that after Perez wrecked he crawled out of his vehicle and fled across the north and south bound lane and ran off the side of the road down a steep embankment.

Timothy McDuffee, age 38, ran over into the south bound lane and attempted to call 911 on his cell phone when a south bound vehicle hit him.

That vehicle was driven by Mary Patricia Todd Linville of Hartsville. This occurred at approximately one minute after Perez wrecked his vehicle.

A witness to this accident, Amy Louise Perry, 21, of Lafayette stated that Linville’s speed and her own speed were approximately 50 to 55 mph. Perry then stated that she and the driver in front of her reportedly saw McDuffee’s vehicle with flashers on and began to reduce their speed.

Linville, who is a registered nurse, stated that she was attempting to slow down to stop at the scene and render aid when her vehicle struck McDuffee. At the point of impact, she believed her speed to be 40 to 45 mph.

Perez was later located a half mile from the accident in the area of Hillsdale Trailer Park. He was located by Constable Barry Newberry. Constable Newberry brought Perez back to the scene. He was reportedly soaking wet from wading through Goose Creek in an attempt to escape.

Sgt. Avera reported that Perez had a strong odor of alcohol about his person and reportedly an empty 12 pack of Bud Light was found in the vehicle. Perez submitted to a breathalyzer test administered at the Lafayette Police Department. He registered a .08 which is considerably over the legal limit for drivers over the age of 21. The legal limit for a person under the age of 21 is .02.

Perez was then charged with driving under the influence, no driver’s license, open container, financial responsibility, leaving the scene of an accident, violation of registration law, and underage consumption.

Perez was transported to the Macon County Justice Center by Lafayette Police Sgt. Ray Amalfitano and Officer Jason Roberts.

Linville was transported to Trousdale County Medical Center by private vehicle. No charges will be filed against Linville. Sgt. Avera stated that Linville was involved in an “unavoidable accident” based on evidence found at the scene and eyewitnesses accounts.

Perez has a court date of November 16, at 9 a.m. He remains lodged at the county jail on $7750 bond.

Other law enforcement assisting Sgt. Avera were, Constable Barry Newberry, Trooper Terry Seay, Sheriff Joe Ferguson, sheriff’s department Sgt. Kimball Hall, Trousdale County Officer Mark Jones and other deputies from Trousdale County, and Lafayette Police Sgt. Ray Amalfitano and Officer Jason Roberts.

Timothy Garret McDuffee is listed in critical condition at Vanderbilt Medical Center.