Fayette County family seeks justice months after deadly crash

FAYETTE COUNTY, Tenn. — A Fayette County family is calling for accountability nearly six months after a suspected DUI crash killed their loved one, 33-year-old Gabrielle Boone. Investigators say the person responsible was Olen Rhea. They say he ran from the scene, leaving behind an 11-year-old child in his wrecked car. But since Rhea bonded out of jail in early January, the family says his court dates continue to be rescheduled. They want to make sure the case isn't forgotten. Boone's sister, Brittany Dillard, called Boone a bright light with big plans ahead of her. "She had so much life and had so much ahead of her," Dillard said. Boone was killed in January in a crash on Highway 59 in Somerville. She had just left the family home to grab a bite to eat when investigators say another — with Rhea behind the wheel — car slammed into hers. Records show investigators discovered an empty vodka bottle in the vehicle. Rhea, who had been covicted of DUI in the past, was only supposed to be driving if there was a Breathalyzer device in the vehicle, but investigators say there wasn't one in the car he was driving. Boone's family says every day since her death has been difficult. Dillard says Rhea was initially set to appear in court in April. That was scheduled to this week, and then this week's hearing was rescheduled. "So right now we're just trying to figure out like, what's the hold up?" Dillard said. "We were told that he is supposedly in a rehabilitation center but we don't have proof that he is." The family says they won't rest until he's back in front of a judge. "I want justice. He needs to be in jail," Dillard said. "He does not deserve to sit in a facility or even be free. My sister is dead and she's not coming back." They are doing what they can to memorialize Gabrielle. "This not the way that I thought I would honor my sister and push her legacy, but Gabby is shining through this. She's shining even though she's not physically here with us," Dillard said. Rhea initially made a $250,000 bond with multiple bail conditions, including no consumption of alcohol and pre-trial supervision. He must remain home if he is not at work, and wear a special bracelet that detects alcohol. The case has been reset to July 8. The district attorney's office says they have informed the family and will keep them informed as the case moves forward.