CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – A Clarksville man has been indicted by a grand jury on charges of vehicular homicide and aggravated child abuse stemming from a fatal wreck on Interstate 24 in 2020 that left three injured and one dead.
Steffen Ray VanGough, 32, was indicted during the December 2021 term of the Montgomery County Grand Jury, according to court records obtained by Clarksville Now. He was arrested March 1.
Sideswipe wreck
According to a Tennessee Traffic Crash Report obtained by Clarksville Now, the two-car wreck occurred on I-24 west near mile marker 11 on Oct. 31, 2020.
At about 9 p.m., a 2006 Ford F-150 driven by VanGough crossed the center line, sideswiped another vehicle, and then ran off the road to the right, the report said. The truck overturned and rolled, and came to a rest facing south, according to the report.
One of the passengers, 32-year-old Erin Williams, was ejected from the truck. She was transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center but died from her injuries, the report said.
The other passenger in VanGough’s truck, a 12-year-old, sustained major injuries and was also taken to Vanderbilt.
According to a witness’ narrative in the report, the driver of the other vehicle was able to stop on the right shoulder. That driver had minor injuries and was transported to Tennova Healthcare-Clarksville, the report said.
In addition to negligent driving and improper lane changing, the report said VanGough was driving on a suspended license and did not have vehicle insurance. Officers who responded did not suspect VanGough was under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and therefore no tests were given, the report said.
All involved were wearing seatbelts except for Williams, the report said.
The indictment alleges VanGough operated the truck in a way that created substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury and resulted in the death of Williams and serious bodily injury to the child, the court records said.
VanGough is set to appear in court for arraignment on March 31.