Crash death suspect indicted by grand jury

Wednesday, May 20, 2009
By Brian Mosely

Claude David Merritt is placed under oath by Judge Robert Crigler Monday after he was indicted for aggravated vehicular homicide by the Bedford County grand jury.
(T-G Photo by Brian Mosely)
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A Shelbyville man was indicted by the Bedford County grand jury on charges of aggravated vehicular homicide in connection with an accident that occurred last October that claimed the life of a woman.

Claude David Merritt, 65, of Tollgate Road is also facing two counts of reckless endangerment and driving on revoked, third offense.

Merritt was taken into custody after appearing before Circuit Court Judge Robert Crigler Monday, after he earlier failed to appear before the judge. He had been in the courthouse, but was not in the courtroom when Crigler started the proceedings.

The indictment said that Merritt "recklessly did kill Mildred Misch" on Oct. 17, 2008, and that the death was the result of his intoxication.

Merritt had three prior DUI convictions, the indictment also stated.

The crash occurred in front of Heritage Medical Center when Merritt's van struck a station wagon in which Misch was a passenger. Police said at the time that Merritt "didn't know what had happened."

Merritt also had veered into the path of the vehicle driven by James Earl Hill Jr. Hill and another passenger, Susan Martin, were treated at Heritage after his car ran off the roadway, down an embankment and into a field following impact, police said at the time.

Misch was airlifted to Vanderbilt Medical Center's trauma center after initial treatment at Heritage, but she died of her injuries.

Merritt was initially charged with DUI (fourth offense) and driving on a revoked/suspended license and admitted to police he had consumed several beers.

Others indicted by the grand jury Monday were:

Joseph Patrick Dyer, 31, DUI fourth offense, violation of implied consent.

P.G. Guy, 63, sale of schedule III drug, delivery of a schedule III drug, sale of schedule IV drug, delivery of a schedule IV drug, sale of schedule II drug, delivery of a schedule II drug, possession of schedule III drug for resale, possession of a schedule IV drug for resale.

Mark Nathan Hodges, 36, theft over $500, theft under $500, failure to appear.

Terry Dwight Mooningham, 26, DUI fourth offense, driving on revoked, theft over $1000, evading arrest, violation of implied consent, vandalism.

Jennifer Leeann Nowlin, aggravated burglary, conspiracy to commit aggravated burglary.

Michael Russell Smart, 27, sale of schedule VI drug, delivery of a schedule VI drug, simple possession schedule VI.

Steven Darnell Whitaker, 26, possession of schedule II for resale.

Comments

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Why was this man on the road? He had already been convicted three times before this senseless death. Why is there a revolving door at the Bedford county court house for DUI offenders? I see this in the paper all the time, second, and third offence DUI. I have even seen fifth offence DUI. When is this going to stop? It seems to me after the second time the car being driven by the person under the influence, unless the car was stolen, should be confiscated and sold at auction and the proceeds give to a victims fund for those who have been affected by drunk drivers. This type of thing just makes me sick at my stomach with rage.

-- Posted by docudrama on Wed, May 20, 2009, at 11:45 AM

Judge, slap him on the hand and let him out again to get another DUI and kill someone else. The judges and the laws are the reason he was on the street when will they ever change?

-- Posted by Thatsmystory on Wed, May 20, 2009, at 1:25 PM

Remember folks...DUI is only a MISDEMEANOR until you get to the 4th one...call your representative and tell them you DEMAND the laws be changed. One DUI can be explained (poor judgment, dumb kid doing dumb things, whatever) but if you are caught again, that shows a pattern of behavior. I think 2nd offense DUI should be a class A Misdemeanor with a mandatory minimum of 6 months in jail day for day (no jail credits!) and anything above that should be a felony with a mandatory jail sentence. That way, even if we can't get these drunks to wake up, we can keep them off the roads for some time and protect the law abiding citizens out there.

-- Posted by jtjustice30 on Wed, May 20, 2009, at 3:57 PM