Man on probation for drug charges now charged in fatal 2017 hit-and-run

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) – A Nashville man on probation for dealing Fentanyl-laced Heroin is now charged in the death of a man riding a Honda scooter on May 30, 2017. 

According to police, 48-year-old Vernon Knight was riding his scooter east on Mt. View Road at about 9:10 p.m. when a 2017 Dodge Challenger was driven down the street fast and on the wrong side. 

Police said Knight saw the car coming and jumped away from his scooter and ran to the side of the road. The challenger left the right and struck Knight, killing him before crashing into some trees. Knight died at the scene. 

Investigators say the Challenger was a stolen rental car from the Nashville airport. The two people in the Challenger started to run but went back to the car to grab a gun and a bag. Police said they believe the driver was 21-year-old Derrick Huey. 

According to a release, when Huey was arrested on a probation violation in December 2018, he refused to answer questions about the crash. A DNA sample was taken and matched a blood sample found on the airbag of the Dodge Challenger. 

Officers said the crash came only five months after second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder charges against Huey were reduced to aggravated and attempted aggravated assault. He was sentenced to four years probation in Dec. 2016. 

Huey was convicted of dealing fentanyl-laced Heroin to two men, one of them died. His bond on the May 2017 charges is set at $164,500.