Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
LAWRENCEBURG, Tenn. (AP) — A man accused of driving under the influence at an off-road park in Tennessee has been blamed for the death of a 12-year-old girl.
WTVF-TV reports Arika Long was 50-year-old Thomas Ruggeri's passenger at Wheelin' in the Country late Friday night. Lawrence County Sheriff's Capt. Adam Brewer says she was killed when their modified Jeep hit a rock and flipped over. She was trapped for 30 minutes before first responders reached the park's remote location.
Ruggeri's14-year-old child also was a passenger and suffered minor injuries. Brewer said no one was wearing a seatbelt.
Ruggeri is charged with vehicular homicide, operating a vehicle under influence and possession of drug paraphernalia in connection with marijuana pipes found. It's unclear whether he has a lawyer.
___
Information from: WTVF-TV, http://www.newschannel5.com
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
