A local businessman has been arrested and charged with vehicular homicide for a crash that claimed the life of his wife earlier this year in East Tennessee.

Fred Hall, 54, was arrested Tuesday and charged with vehicular homicide and DUI. He was indicted on those charges Sept. 24 by the Scott County grand jury. His first court appearance is scheduled for this Monday, Oct. 7, at the Scott County Courthouse in Huntsville.

The deadly crash which led to the charges took place Jan. 25. Tanya Dawn Hall, 48, was killed when her ATV slid off the road and hit a tree.

According to a report from the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Mrs. Hall was a passenger in a 2018 Polaris 1000 ATV that was being driven by her husband, Frederick J. Hall. Mr. Hall suffered serious injuries in the crash and was hospitalized.

The ATV was reportedly traveling west on Cordell Road, a rural road that runs along the New River near the Kentucky state line. It was near the intersection with Hurricane Road that Mr. Hall lost control.

“The vehicle slid off the roadway and into a tree,” the Highway Patrol report states. “The top of the vehicle was impacted and crushed inward.”

The report notes neither occupant was wearing a helmet. It’s the belief of crash investigators a helmet would have made a difference. The report also indicates Mr. Hall had been drinking.

Vehicular homicide involving alcohol is a Class B felony with a sentencing range that begins at eight years.

In recent years, those found guilty of vehicular homicide involving intoxication have typically served around one year in jail in Warren County. It is not known how Scott County prosecutors normally resolve the charge.