Teen Charged with Vehicular Homicide by Intoxication

The driver of a 2026 GMC Yukon, Zachary Abbott, 18, is charged with vehicular homicide by intoxication and ten counts of reckless endangerment after Monday's 10:20 p.m. multi-vehicle collision on I-24 West near Old Hickory Boulevard that claimed the life of his male front seat passenger, Talon Sewell, 18.

The preliminary investigation indicates that Abbott, of Trenton, Kentucky, was driving westbound on I-24 when he changed lanes in an attempt to pass traffic but was unable to do so. He then moved onto the right shoulder where he collided with an abandoned flatbed tow truck. The passenger side of the GMC Yukon struck the rear of the parked tow truck while simultaneously colliding with the rear passenger side of a 2018 Jeep Wrangler.

As a result of the impact, the Jeep Wrangler rotated and struck two additional vehicles before facing the wrong direction in the roadway. The driver of a Nissan Sentra then collided head-on with the Jeep Wrangler. The driver of a Toyota Camry, who was also unable to avoid the crash, sideswiped the Jeep Wrangler.

Sewell was ejected from the GMC and died at the scene. Abbott and his rear passenger were transported to Skyline Medical Center with minor injuries.

The driver of the Jeep Wrangler and her four children, ages 12-15, were transported to Skyline Medical Center with minor injuries and released.

Responding officers detected an odor of alcohol on Abbott's breath. He also displayed physical indicators of impairment. He remains jailed on $100,000 bond.