Driver Indicted in Fatal Crash

April 18, 2022 – A Memphis motorist has been indicted on vehicular homicide, drunken driving and other charges stemming from a two-vehicle crash in 2020 that killed the other driver, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

A grand jury indicted Gerronn Powell, 40, on counts of vehicular homicide involving alcohol and recklessness, driving while intoxicated, and reckless driving. He is free on $75,000 bond.

Investigators said Powell was traveling at a high rate of speed on Danny Thomas Boulevard at Stage Road in Frayser when his SUV hit the driver’s side door of another vehicle as it pulled from a service station.

The driver of that vehicle, Ladarius King, 28, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators said Powell had a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on his breath and that he was unable to perform a field sobriety test as directed. Powell faces enhanced punishment if convicted because he has a prior conviction for driving under the influence of an intoxicant in 2016.

The case is being handled by Asst. Dist. Atty. Kenya Smith of the District Attorney’s DUI Unit which prosecutes cases of vehicular homicide and DUI, and works with local law enforcement to reduce the number traffic fatalities and injuries in Memphis and Shelby County.