Teen charged as adult in deadly crash after police chase

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- A 16-year-old is now being charged as an adult in connection with a police chase that ended in a deadly crash in August 2024. The teen was identified as Erian Watkins. He was arrested moments after he allegedly ran a red light during the chase and caused a 5-car crash that left three women dead and seven others injured, including himself. At the time, Watkins was charged with nine counts of aggravated assault, aggravated robbery, sexual battery, three counts of vehicular homicide, felony evading arrest, reckless driving, no state driver’s license, possession of a prohibited weapon, and other traffic violations. Family members of the victims in the deadly August 20 crash identified them as 47-year-old Patrice Hughes, 26-year-old Dantrice Stanback [Patrice’s daughter], and 26-year-old Shekila Sivley [Dantrice’s cousin]. Stanback's 2-year-old daughter was also involved in the crash. Watkins is accused of being part of a group of nine people that robbed and carjacked a man, getting away with his Chrysler 300. When police spotted the Chrysler, Watkins allegedly turned the lights off and drove over 100 miles per hour before smashing into the other cars. During one of his first appearances in juvenile court last year, the prosecution claimed that prior to the wreck, Watkins was wanted for sexual battery and aggravated assault. He is accused of groping a female in a car and then pulling a gun on her.