RUTHERFORD COUNTY, TENNESSEE — A Mt. Juliet man has pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide and reckless aggravated assault charges stemming from a 2024 crash on Couchville Pike that killed a two-year-old boy riding in his family’s car and left his father partially paralyzed after an improperly secured lifting arm on a lumber truck swung into oncoming traffic and struck the family’s vehicle.
Christopher B. Holloway, 63, filed the guilty plea before Rutherford County Circuit Court Judge Barry Tidwell on August 20, 2026. He admitted guilt to one count of Vehicular Homicide by Reckless Action and two counts of Reckless Aggravated Assault. Remaining charges from his original indictment, which had included tampering with evidence, were dismissed. A sentencing hearing is set for November 30, 2026.
What Happened
Shortly after 9 p.m. on October 10, 2024, Holloway was driving a 2013 Freightliner lumber truck westbound on Couchville Pike when the truck’s extendable boom arm, which had not been properly secured, swung into the eastbound lane. The arm struck the front of a 2014 Nissan Versa traveling eastbound at approximately 35 mph.
The Nissan’s driver, 21-year-old Nevaeh Payne, lost control after the impact and the car rolled to a stop in a private driveway. In the back seat, secured in a forward-facing child safety seat, was her two-year-old son Jeremiah White. He did not survive. Payne and the boy’s father, 25-year-old Deqwuan White, both suffered serious injuries and were transported to a Middle Tennessee hospital. Deqwuan White sustained spinal injuries and has been left partially paralyzed. Payne required facial surgery. Holloway was not injured.
The family had been taking a late evening drive to help Jeremiah fall asleep. Holloway tested negative for alcohol and controlled substances.
Rutherford County District Attorney General Jennings Jones confirmed the plea.
Jeremiah’s grandmother Rochell set up a GoFundMe shortly after the crash to help cover funeral expenses, hospital costs, and care for the couple’s then three-month-old baby, who was in her care while both parents remained in the ICU. She wrote at the time that her son would not be able to attend Jeremiah’s funeral because he would still be in intensive care.
All defendants are presumed innocent of any additional wrongdoing until proven guilty in a court of law.
Information courtesy of local media and family.
📸 Image(s) used under fair use for news reporting.
