Alleged road rage and an unrelated driving under the influence charges that resulted in highway deaths were set for trial by Judge Wesley Bray in Cumberland County Criminal Court last week.
Joshua Adam Fields, 43, Alcoa, is charged in connection with a three-vehicle crash on I-40 near the 322 mile marker that occurred in July 2022.
Michael Copeland, 72, Cookeville, died from his injuries sustained in the crash. A Virginia man, driver of a tractor-trailer rig involved in the crash, was not injured.
A THP report at the time alleged Fields was driving a 2022 Buick SUV and Copeland a 2011 Toyota SUV east when Fields’ vehicle made contact.
The impact caused the Toyota to cross the median into oncoming traffic and was struck a FedEx truck driven by the Virginia man.
It is expected the state will be prosecuting the case with an allegation the crash was the result of road rage.
Bray set a motion and plea agreement deadline of April 8 and trial set for April 22-24. Knoxville attorney Gregory Isaacs represents Fields.
Tony Curtis Thompson, 48, last known address is on Louise St., is to go trial on charges of aggravated vehicular homicide, alternate theory of vehicular homicide by intoxication and driving under the influence.
The charges stem from a December 2022, crash on I-40 that resulted in the death of his brother, Roger Thompson, 35, Somerset, KY.
The wreck was a single-vehicle. Roger Thompson was flown to The University of Tennessee Medical Center, where he died a day later.
Bray set a motion and deadline for negotiated plea on April 8 and set the case for trial as a backup on April 22. Pikeville attorney Howard Upchurch represents Thompson.
In other cases on the docket, the following cases were set for trial:
•Nicole Lynn Ambrose, 38, no address available, possession of a weapon by a felon and simple possession, set as a back-up trial on April 22. Motion and last day to come to a plea agreement is set for March 11.
Ambrose is accused of being found in possession of a weapon and marijuana during a Crossville Police Department arrest Dec. 31, 2022. A felony drug plea in Mason County, IL, entered in December 2015, bans her from possession a firearm. Ambrose is represented by Pikeville attorney Howard Upchurch.
Unrelated charges of burglary and vandalism of $10,000 to $60,000 were moved to March 11 for tracking.
•Johnny Paul Nance, no age or address available, is charged with possession of more than .5 grams of meth for sale and/or delivery and possession of drug paraphernalia, alleged on May 10, 2023, and investigated by Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office. Bray set a motion and plea negotiated deadline of April 8 and trial set of April 23. Nance is represented by Crossville attorney Jeff Vires.
Unrelated charges of simple possession of meth and possession of drug paraphernalia are continued to April 8 for tracking.
•Kenneth Ray Jr., no age or address available, is charged with assault on an officer (first responder) and resisting a stop, arrest or search. They relate to a March 1, 2023, incident with CCSO Deputy Ben Griffin filing the charges. Bray set a motion and negotiated plea deadline for April 8 and trial is set for April 24.