Woman charged with vehicular homicide after minivan crashes into assisted living facility

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — A homeless woman has been charged with vehicular homicide after a KIA minivan crashed into Shannondale Assisted Living Facility, hitting and killing a patient, according to the Knoxville Police Department. Eleasah Williams, 24, faces charges of vehicular homicide and recklessness, KPD said.

On Saturday, June 14, around 5:04 a.m., police were notified of a disturbance on Woodview Lane. Per court records, an arriving officer was told that Williams was “suicidal and homicidal” and that she “wanted to kill herself and other people.”

At 5:11 a.m., there was another emergency call from Shannondale Assisted Living Facility, nearby at 7350 Middlebrook Pike. The officer reportedly went to the scene of a crash and saw a KIA minivan in the side of the building.

According to a KPD spokesperson, Williams had sped from the apartment complex on Woodview Lane, across all four lanes of Middlebrook Pike and into the facility.

Williams was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, and she will be booked upon release, KPD said. She allegedly said she was attempting suicide. She also reported she had taken her prescription medications and used a THC vape, according to court records.Court records identified the patient as Walter D. Humphrey, a 96-year-old man. He was pronounced dead at the scene.