KPD e-Press Release: Fatal Crash Update – Toxicology Results Released

Approximately 8:15 PM

Kingsport, TN

Driver Information

General Narrative

The Kingsport Police Department was previously notified by the Medical Examiner that the driver of the Acura in the fatal crash had been positively identified as Dena Marie Riddle, 43 years of age, of Kingsport. An autopsy has since been completed, and those results have been forwarded to the K.P.D. Traffic Unit.

The pathology report indicates that the cause of Ms. Riddle’s death was multiple blunt force trauma sustained in the crash. Furthermore, the report lists Ms. Riddle’s blood alcohol level at the time of her death at .254 BAC which is in excess of three times the legal limit of .08 BAC.

With the receipt of this new information from the Medical Examiner, the K.P.D. Traffic Unit has now concluded that both excessive speed and extreme alcohol impairment on the part of Ms. Riddle were the two major contributing factors in this crash.

The investigation is now complete, and with Ms. Riddle now deceased, there will be no charges filed in this crash.

Ms. Riddle was killed when the 2002 Acura RSX 2-door coupe she was driving at 104 miles per hour crossed the center lane and struck a Ford Expedition head on.

Walter T. (Tony) Bellamy (58 years of age) was driving the Ford Expedition and was critically injured in the crash. He died three days later on September 17th when he succumbed to his injuries at Holston Valley Medical Center. Two of Mr. Bellamy’s family members were also seriously injured in that crash.

For additional information, please contact:

Ptl. Thomas M. Patton

K.P.D. Community Relations & Crime Prevention Unit

423-229-9433

ThomasMPatton@KingsportTN.gov

K.P.D. Community Relations & Crime Prevention Unit