One of the two men charged in a fatal Adair County crash last December has pleaded guilty to multiple criminal charges.
Walter Ray Nichols III, age 45 of Bean Station, Tennessee, was a passenger in the truck that collided with a car along Highway 55 near the Adair County Primary Center. Nichols was charged alongside Joel Hammack, the driver, who was allegedly under the influence at the time.
Seven-year-old Rose Morgan of Breeding, a student at the primary center, was killed in the crash, according to Adair County Schools.
Court records show Nichols has agreed to plead guilty to multiple charges, including alcohol intoxication in a public place, third-degree assault of police and probation officers, third-degree assault of EMS, fire, or rescue personnel, third-degree terroristic threatening, second-degree disorderly conduct, and obstructing governmental operations and emergency responders.
State troopers said Nichols was under the influence of alcohol on the afternoon of the crash, unable to follow simple commands, and smelled of alcohol.
According to an arrest citation, Nichols was “very disorderly multiple times.” At the crash scene, he brandished a knife, threatened to cut someone, and kicked the fire chief. Later, at the hospital, he spat on the floor.
Nichols is scheduled to be sentenced on August 26 in Adair County Circuit Court before Judge Judy Vance Murphy. The hearing will begin at 9 a.m.
Source: WBKO
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