Illegal immigrant charged in death
Alcoa woman cited in hit-and-run
By Jessica Stith

Originally published: July 09. 2009 3:01AM
Last modified: July 08. 2009 10:52PM

An SUV driver who authorities said hit a pedestrian Monday night and fled the scene was charged Wednesday by Alcoa police officers.

An Alcoa woman was also cited with knowingly allowing an unlicensed driver to drive her vehicle.

Ernesto Herrera Hurtado, 39, Grayson Drive, Alcoa, was charged with leaving the scene of an accident with death or injury, driving unlicensed and driving without insurance. According to authorities, Hurtado is an illegal immigrant.


Hurtado's charges stem from an accident at about 10:55 p.m. Monday night when Tommy L. Gibbons, 50, Telford Street, Alcoa, was crossing West Bessemer Street on foot in front of Kmart and was hit by an SUV. He was taken by Rural/Metro Ambulance Service to University of Tennessee Medical Center where he was later pronounced dead, according to Alcoa Police Sgt. Hank Morris.

Gibbons was crossing the street with his brother, who was not reported injured.

Morris said the driver of the SUV that hit Gibbons fled the scene. Only minimal evidence remained on Bessemer Street, but Morris said Hurtado and his girlfriend, Tenile Hodges, called officers on Tuesday and said Hurtado was driving the SUV.

The SUV was determined to be a white Ford Explorer that was owned by Hodges, 28, Grayson Drive, Alcoa. She was cited with knowingly allowing an unlicensed driver to drive.

Morris said that the area of Bessemer Street where Gibbons was hit is not lit by street lights. Hurtado told officers that he did not see Gibbons crossing until the SUV hit the man. He told officers he fled "because he was scared," due to being "unlicensed and illegal," Morris said.

Through investigation, Morris said that it was determined that alcohol and speed were not factors in the accident.

Hurtado was being held at the Blount County Jail in lieu of bonds totaling $5,775 pending a 9 a.m. July 16 hearing in Blount County General Sessions Court. Hodges is required to appear at 9 a.m. Aug. 13 to address her citation.

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