Kentucky Lake Fatal Accident Results in Conviction

NASHVILLE --- A Henry County jury took less than 30 minutes to convict David Ray Phelps, of Woodlawn, Tenn., of charges stemming from a fatal boating accident on Kentucky Lake last July.

 

Phelps was found guilty of vehicular homicide, aggravated assault, reckless operation of a vessel and boating under the influence (BUI). The conviction came during an Oct. 25 trial held in Paris.

 

A bass boat Phelps, 37, was operating, struck a pontoon boat occupied by seven family members. Sandra R. Adams, 47, was killed and her daughter, Meghan Adams, 16, was seriously injured. The pontoon boat was being operated at the time by the 11-year old son of Jeffrey Adams, who was seated beside the youth at the time of the accident.  The accident occurred on the lake about a mile south of the Hwy 79 bridge.

 

Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency officers on the scene subjected Phelps to field sobriety tests, which he failed. Phelps was placed under arrest for BUI and asked to submit a blood test. A result of the blood alcohol test was .13 percent, almost twice the legal limit. Adams also submitted to a blood alcohol and drug test, both of which were returned with negative results.

 

During Phelps’ trial, TWRA officer Brad Jackson presented an animated re-creation of the crash based upon the finding from the crime scene investigation. The court and jury were also transported to see the extent of damage to each of the boats at the location of their storage at the Henry County Fairgrounds. Expert testimony during the trial gave the opinion that Phelps’ boat was traveling almost 60 mph at the time of the collision.

 

Adams testified that he was ejected from the boat at the time of the accident, and found his daughter face down in the water. He was able to pull her to safety and revive her, but his wife died even though another family member performed CPR on her while in the water.

 

As a result of the conviction, Phelps was fined $2,500 for the BUI and a sentencing hearing on the remaining charges has been scheduled for Dec. 6, 2010. Phelps was ordered incarcerated, pending sentencing under a $125,000 bond, due to the severity of the crimes for which he was convicted.

---TWRA---