WCSO: Man charged with vehicular homicide after fatal crash at Jackson Bridge

JONESBOROUGH, Tenn. (WJHL) — A Kingsport man was arrested and charged with vehicular homicide by intoxication on Tuesday following a fatal crash on Highway 107 near the Jackson Bridge. According to a news release from the Washington County Sheriff's Office (WCSO), the crash was reported Tuesday at around 2 p.m. on Hwy 107 near Jackson Bridge Road in the South Central community. The WCSO said deputies learned that a vehicle driven by Alfonso Vasquez-Morales, 33, reportedly crossed into the opposite lane of travel and struck a motorcycle head-on. The department added that the motorcyclist, William Richard Sauer, 69, of Brooksville, Florida, was ejected and pronounced dead at the scene. "Moments before the crash, a call to 911 resulted in a Be On the Look Out (BOLO) for the vehicle," the release states. "The caller told 911 that the vehicle Vasquez-Morales was driving almost hit a car head-on near the Nolichucky Fire Department." Witnesses told police that Vasquez-Morales was allegedly weaving in and out of traffic just before the crash. He reportedly admitted to deputies on scene that he had consumed "six or seven" beers before driving. A spokesperson for the WCSO said the time between the initial 911 call regarding Vazques-Morales and the crash was less than two minutes. Upon arrival at the Washington County Detention Center, deputies found a small amount of methamphetamine wrapped in cellophane in Vasquez-Morales's front pocket, the release said. Vasquez-Morales was charged with vehicular homicide as well as the following: The WCSO said his bond was set at $125,000, but that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) placed a hold on his release. He was scheduled to appear in court Wednesday, and additional charges may be pending, the WCSO said.