KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — A suspect has been charged in a deadly crash along Maynardville Highway that left two people dead on Thursday.
Jose Roberto Rivera Recarte, 39, faces multiple charges including two counts of vehicular homicide by driver intoxication, driving without a license, and evading arrest following Thursday’s crash.
According to court records, the Union County Sheriff’s Office was contacted about a man leaving a bar who appeared to impaired to drive. The witness reported that he offered to give Recarte a ride, but he refused and began driving south on Maynardville Pike towards Knox County.
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Union County deputies pursued and stopped the vehicle on Maynardville Highway, but the driver fled the scene before crossing over a median and colliding with two vehicles in the turn lane.
Deputies reported Recarte showed signs of impairment including bloodshot eyes, slurred speech and an odor of alcohol. He initially told investigators he had consumed one drink, but later said he had not drank any alcohol…