Shelbyville Times-Gazette: Local News: Man struck, killed in front yard (04/28/08)

Walter R. Mullins of Tullahoma tells Deputy Tracey Harvey how wreck victim Bobby Brown was standing near the tire in foreground when he was hit by a truck and thrown approximately 30 yards. Mullins was preparing to unload shingles from his truck.
(T-G Photo by David Melson)

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A Unionville-area man is dead, struck by a vehicle while standing in his front yard Monday, and the man accused of causing the wreck is spending the night in Bedford County Jail.

Robert "Bobby" Brown, 69, U.S. 41-A North, Unionville, died a few minutes after the mid-afternoon accident. A LifeFlight helicopter was en route to Bedford County Medical Center but Brown was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.

Kimery Wayne Hill, 28, of another U.S. 41-A North address, allegedly sped from the scene and was arrested a few minutes later at his sister's home on Old Unionville Road.

Hill is charged with one count of vehicular homicide, five counts of reckless endangerment and one count of second offense driving on a suspended license. Bond is set at $127,000.

Kimery Hill (center) is interviewed by State Trooper Barry Qualls (left) and Sgt. David Sakich of the Bedford County Sheriff's Department after his arrest Monday.
(T-G Photo by David Melson)

Brown was actually hit by a truck driven by Timothy A. McGehee, 43, of Tullahoma, after it was struck by the Hill car. No charges have been filed against McGehee, who suffered minor injuries and was taken to BCMC for treatment.

Investigators said Brown was standing near the shoulder of the highway near a large, parked Lowe's truck. The driver, Walter R. Mullins, 58, of Tullahoma, was preparing to unload shingles.

"The Hill and McGehee vehicles were southbound," State Trooper Chad McAnally said. "Hill attempted to pass McGehee and struck the rear of McGehee's truck. The McGehee truck struck the front of the Lowe's truck, then spun around and struck Mr. Brown."

Brown was thrown 20-30 yards from the point of impact. A retired electrician, Brown was employed at Lowe's; Mullins said he was acquainted with Brown through that connection.

Hill's 3-year-old daughter, a passenger in the car, was not injured.

The speeding Hill car was spotted moments before the accident by Deputy Tracey Harvey, who said she had turned around and was attempting to notify other officers when the impact occurred.

Authorities were notified almost immediately where Hill had driven. The 1991 Acura Legend was found parked in a field with the smashed front end next to a fence row. Officers said they suspected the car had been intentionally parked in that location in an attempt to hide damage.