Parole Denied for Truck Driver Convicted in Death of Loudon County Sergeant Chris Jenkins

Board of release Chairman Roberta Kustoff decided Tuesday to reject release to Christopher Savannah, the truck driver who struck and killed Loudon County Sergeant Chris Jenkins in 2022, during a parole hearing. Citing the seriousness of Savannah’s offense, the recommendation was made at the end of the first parole hearing, according to information from WVLT.

The seven-member board must now separately assess Savannah’s case, as Kustoff’s vote is only one stage in the parole process. The formal decision about Savannah’s parole status will need to be made by a majority of four votes. The final judgment is anticipated in the upcoming weeks, according to WATE. In three years, Savannah, who is presently serving a 10-year term for a variety of offenses, including vehicular homicide, will be eligible for another parole review.

Sgt. Jenkins was removing a ladder from I-75 in Loudon County when he was hit by a tractor-trailer, resulting in the terrible event. Savannah was under the influence of marijuana when the accident occurred, per a statement that WATE was able to collect. A law known as the “Sergeant Chris Jenkins Law” was passed in response to this incident, making it illegal to transport ladders in an inadequate manner.

Savannah apologized for his behavior throughout the hearing. According to WBIR, “He says he thinks about it every day,” Kustoff reminded Savannah of the evidence of marijuana usage at the time of the crash, even though he had finished a substance addiction program and expressed regret. Through programming and upholding good behavior while inside, Kustoff urged Savannah to keep improving himself. While realizing the suffering his acts had caused, Jenkins’ family spoke out against Savannah’s release, hoping for his rehabilitation.

We await the results of the board’s independent examination of Savannah’s parole case, which entails assessing a number of factors like the seriousness of the offense and institutional conduct.

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