Login | Create New Account | Facebook | Twitter
Homes | Jobs | Wheels | Worship | IShopTheTri | Move To Kingsport | Kingsport Chamber of Commerce
Print
10-year-old crashes car; Bristol man and woman charged
BLOUNTVILLE — A 10-year-old boy reportedly driving almost 90 mph crashed a van Sunday and sent five people to the hospital.
A Bristol man and woman who were in the van are facing numerous criminal charges.
Randy Lewis, 43, 245 Honaker Dr., Bristol, Tenn., was charged with third count DUI, felony reckless endangerment, aggravated child abuse/neglect, driving on a suspended license, no proof of insurance, violation of implied consent and seatbelt violation for his alleged role in the crash.
Lewis is being held in the Sullivan County Correctional Facility. His bond increased Monday from $10,000 to $50,000.
Paula Elaine Evans, 38, 1000 Hill St., Bristol, Tenn., faces charges of felony reckless endangerment, aggravated child abuse/neglect and seatbelt violation. She remains jailed on $50,000 bond as well.
Charges for possession of schedule drugs could also follow, said Capt. Keith Elton, public information officer with the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Department.
Evans was hospitalized at Bristol Regional Medical Center, according to Elton. She was released from the hospital late Monday, taken into custody and transported to the Sullivan County Jail in Blountville. In addition to the above charges, she was also charged with Possession of Schedule II and Schedule III drugs.
Just before 6 p.m., the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Department responded to a report of a vehicle crash with injuries on Flatwoods Road in the north section of the county only to discover the young boy had been the driver responsible for the accident.
The youth was driving a 1995 Ford Winstar on the gravel road when the crash occurred, flipping the vehicle on its top.
The three children — the driver, another 10-year-old and a six-year-old, — were released to the Tennessee Department of Children Services after being treated for their injuries.
Upon arriving at the scene officers noticed all five passengers sitting by the roadway, Elton said.
“We received a call that people were trapped in a van, and when we got there they were all beside the roadway,” he said. “Paula Evans was standing in the roadway when officers arrived and she started swallowing as many pills as she could.”
Officers prevented Evans from taking more before arresting her. Afterwards they found other pills, like Percocet, at the scene, he said.
According to the police report, Lewis, who was wearing a T-shirt that read “Buy This Dad a Beer” when he was apprehended, appeared to be intoxicated and admitted to drinking at least 15 beers in addition to liquor while at the scene.
To comment, you must register.
Comments are the sole responsibility of the registered user participating in online discussions. You agree not to post comments off topic, abusive, obscene, defamatory, vulgar, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned.
Most Popular News
Today | Week | Month | Year
- Oprah says prayer, thought influenced decision to end TV show
- Gang killed people for their fat; it's worth $60,000 a gallon on black market
- Black Friday 'doorbusters' dirty little secrets - what bargain-hungry consumers need to know
- Machete bandit robs same Kingsport Sunoco station for second time
- Man accused of stealing large amount of metals from Bristol business
- Judge strikes down Tennessee guns-in-bars law
- Proposed Aug. 2 start of Kingsport schools might move Fun Fest events
- Movie Review: Apocalyptic ‘2012’ sacrifices story for special effects
- Gallup says Obama's daily approval rating dips below 50% for first time
- Kingsport police going paperless with PDAs
Most Popular News
Today | Week | Month | Year
Featured Blogger
EMQoW - whaaa??
By Elaine Riner - 11-2-2009
Yes, you read it right: EMQoW. Translation: Eastman Math Question of the Week. This is a special feature that's been in the newspaper for a cou...
Most Discussed
Today | Week | Month | Year
- Judge strikes down Tennessee guns-in-bars law
- America is heading down the road to socialism
- With Mom's OK, officer uses Taser to subdue 10-year-old girl who didn't want to go to bed
- Photo of Obama not saluting at ceremony is not what outrage e-mails claim
- Black Friday 'doorbusters' dirty little secrets - what bargain-hungry consumers need to know
- Blountville man charged with rape of a child
- Proposed Aug. 2 start of Kingsport schools might move Fun Fest events
- Oprah says prayer, thought influenced decision to end TV show
- Two arrested in Kingsport prostitution sting
- Kingsport nurse accused of stealing credit cards from elderly patient's daughter
Most Discussed
Today | Week | Month | Year
topjobs
Browse Premiere Local Businesses
Home | Login | Local News | Obits | Sports | Business | Opinions | Blogs | Classifieds| Business Profiles
Web Feeds/RSS | Contact Us | Customer Service | Privacy Statement | Common Questions | E-Edition | Subscriptions | Site Map
© 2009 Kingsport Publishing Corporation - Innovation by Times Digital Group
I think we have found our Dad of the Year
More proof we are done as a Society
Mrs. Lewis, our sympathies are with you and your son. I hope the judge has enough sense to give you full custody. It's not your son's fault at all that he was doing what his inebriated father asked him to, his life would have been even more at risk if he let the father drive. This is absolute proof that that man is not fit to have any responsibility for children.
This wasn't an "error in judgment" it is a clear example of pure stupidity and a result of substance abuse. Regardless of the charges, they'll both probably get suspended sentences and probation. And best of luck to Ms. Lewis and Mr. McCellan in getting custody of these children.
Charged with violation of complied consent... isn't that supposed to be "implied" consent? Gotta give credit where credit is due... after consuming at least 15 beers plus liquor, Mr. Lewis was still responsible enough to let someone else drive.
It's an abuse of justice to charge him with DUI or suspended license since he was not driving, but the other charges are fair enough.
as the nephew of ms evans im truly ashamed of her actions and i agree with mr wallen the kids are the ones who are suffering and have for a long time. im trying to get the kids in my custody but as usual there is buracratic red tape, as well as the family who cant stick together for the kids. My family is more worried about ms evans who as usual has a different story about what happened. She has even went as far as to say her son is lying about the events so i agree with you that the kids are suffering but as a family member and a fellow citizen i still say throw the book at them and get these addicts off of our streets.
Mr. Crawford, I think in Tennessee you have to have a valid driver's license with any underage driver hence the "driving on suspended" charge.
Now, for my joke: Wonder if Ms. Evans was wearing a shirt that said, "I'm with Stupid"?
Seriously though, I really feel sorry for the children involved. It's a wonder that no one was hurt more than what happened.
And yes the van was going 90 mph when the wreck occured. The van rolled over and my son had to kick out the windshield to get the others out. My son did make a mistake by driving but children are always told to listen to their parents so he was only doing what he was told. NO ONE has the right hold a 10 year old responsible for doing what he is told to by his father so yes I think his dad and Elaine should both be held responsible and should get charged with the exact same thing. They also should get some time in jail to think about how close their decision came to being a tragedy, not just an "accident". There were 3 kids that could have died because of their SERIOUS lack of judgement.
Those of you reading this can only imagine the nightmare that I am living. I am the mother of the 10 year old that was driving. My son was on a court ordered weekend visitation of which I tried to get supervised when we set up visitation 5 years ago but was laughed at by the judge because I had no ?physical? proof of the alcohol or drug use but his father and girlfriend. I almost lost my son because of the negligent behavior of a ?responsible adult?. No thanks to the court system. So I won?t be suprised if the girlfriend gets her children back even though she shouldn?t ever be allowed to even see them.
The only charge this man got that I don't see holding up is "Driving on suspended license. How can they charge him for it when HE wasn't driving. A 10 year old boy was driving. I'm not condoning what he did, but it's a little overkill to charge him for something he didn't do...
It's sad for these children first off before any jokes are made. They are the ones that will have to suffer due to their parent complete and utter stupidity. Secondly, if she were popping Percocets what gave her the impression that she had broken bones in her neck. It's not like she could've felt anything. How do you do 90 mph on a gravel road in a van? Buy this dad a beer, yes do that, they don't seem to cloud his judgement.