November 15, 2024

                A Macon County man has pleaded guilty in the 2023 drunk driving crash that claimed the life of Macon County Sergeant William Cherry.  Devin Slayton entered an open plea to the indicted charge of vehicular homicide in the case, and is now serving the maximum sentence of 12 years.

                During the course of the plea, prosecutors announced that accident reconstructionist had determined that Slayton crossed the line and hit Sgt. Cherry just before midnight on July 28, 2023.  Prosecutors also stated that Slayton’s blood alcohol result was 0.154, almost twice the legal limit.  Slayton admitted to officers that he had been drinking that night prior to getting behind the wheel of the car.

“An open plea a plea of guilty to the Indictment as charged and the case is put into the hands of a judge for sentencing.  It results in the same verdict as if the case were tried to a jury, and there is no appeal. I hope that today’s plea and the future sentencing hearing can produce the full measure of justice for Sgt. Cherry’s family that the law allows,” explained Jason Lawson, District Attorney General.

In Tennessee, vehicular homicide by intoxication is a Class B felony, carrying a range of punishment between 8 and 12 years.  All vehicular homicide sentences occurring after July 1, 2022, must be served at 100% in the Tennessee Department of Correction without the possibility of parole. The charge also carries a suspension of driving privileges between 3 and 10 years.

Slayton had been scheduled for trial in early December prior to his acknowledgement of guilt and acceptance of the sentencing hearing. Slayton has been sentence to the maximum sentence of 12 years.