Former Johnson City fire chief charged with vehicular homicide

CARTER COUNTY, Tenn. (WCYB) — A former Johnson City fire chief has been charged with vehicular homicide after a pedestrian was struck and killed in January 2024, according to officials.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol previously stated that the incident occurred in the area of ​​Highway 19E and Clay Little Road in Carter County. A THP report stated that a 2005 Honda CR-V left the lane, drove onto the right shoulder and struck the pedestrian. The pedestrian was identified as 58-year-old Vicky Yelton Hughes.

Dayton Paul Souder was the driver of the Honda, according to THP. Souder has been charged with vehicular homicide by recklessness, criminally negligent homicide, reckless aggravated assault and failure to drive within lane.

Souder is scheduled to appear in court on November 18.