Driver Indicted in Alcohol-Related Crash That Killed Adult, Injured Two Others

Sept. 7, 2021 – A motorist with a prior DUI conviction has been indicted in an alcohol-related crash that killed one person and injured two others, including a 5-year-old boy, last year in southwest Memphis, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

A grand jury indicted Earnest Brown Jr., 46, on counts of vehicular homicide, aggravated vehicular homicide, vehicular assault, driving under the influence, and reckless driving. He is free on $100,000 bond.

Investigators said the crash occurred about 8 p.m. on Aug. 15, 2020, when Brown was driving at a high rate of speed westbound on West Brooks Road. He disregarded a stop sign at Ford Road, and crashed into another vehicle in the intersection.

The driver of that car, 24-year-old Kanisha Dandridge, was pronounced dead at the scene, while a front-seat passenger, Jordan Campbell, 30, was critically injured. A young boy in the back seat was treated at a hospital and released.

Investigators said they found a crumpled 16-oz. beer can on the front-seat floorboard of Brown’s vehicle. He was treated at a hospital and released into police custody.

The case is being handled by Asst. Dist. Atty. Kenya Smith of the District Attorney’s DUI Unit which works with law enforcement to reduce the number of DUI-related fatalities and injuries. The DUI Unit also conducts training sessions to keep officers updated on new DUI laws and changes to existing laws.