CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Nearly 10 months after a Jeep plunged into the Red River, killing a medical helicopter pilot, a Clarksville man has been indicted on vehicular homicide and related charges.
Following the indictment, James Henry Centers, 28, was arrested Aug. 12 on charges of vehicular homicide, reckless driving, drivers to exercise due car, and violation of implied consent-enhancement only.
52-year-old Michael Atzert, an Air Evac pilot, was killed in the crash. According to his obituary, Atzert had flown about 1,361 patient flights. He was also a Navy and Army veteran, serving two tours in Afghanistan and one in Iraq.
Interstate 24 crash sent car into Red River
As previously reported by Clarksville Now, at about 5 a.m. on Nov. 13, first responders were called to the Red River after a vehicle left the roadway near mile marker 9.6 westbound and went into the water.
Atzert, who drove a 2022 Jeep Wrangler, was hit by a 2004 Lincoln Town Car that was also traveling westbound. Both vehicles went into the median, and the Jeep continued down an embankment and into the river.
A Tennessee Highway Patrol report identified Centers as the driver of the Town Car.
In August, a Montgomery County grand jury indicted Centers, alleging he drove in “willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.” The indictment also states that Centers “unlawfully and willingly failed to give consent and submit to a test” to determine if drugs or alcohol were involved.
His arraignment is scheduled for Sept. 8 in Montgomery County Circuit Court.
| BREAKING NEWS PUSH ALERTS: Sign up for our free Clarksville Now app