Chattanooga defense attorney pleads not guilty in 2015 Signal Mountain crash

Attorney Bill Speek gives an opening statement before Richard Bennett's trial Tuesday in Judge Barry Steelman's courtroom.
Attorney Bill Speek gives an opening statement before Richard Bennett's trial Tuesday in Judge Barry Steelman's courtroom.

A Chattanooga defense attorney pleaded not guilty Friday to striking another couple's vehicle in 2015 and driving away.

Bill Speek filed a motion earlier this week to waive his first appearance in Hamilton County Criminal Court. His lawyer and fellow partner, Jonathan Turner, showed up instead to enter a not guilty plea, the motion says.

Turner said Friday he could not comment further on the case. Speek's next scheduled appearance is July 12.

Records show Speek was driving a 2007 Toyota cruiser on Timberlinks Drive when he crossed the center line and hit an approaching Honda Civic around 5:30 p.m. on March 19, 2015.

The crash severely injured Kenneth Wayne Feagans, the Civic's driver, and his wife, Ruth, who was seated on the front passenger side. But after the collision, the cruiser never stopped, witnesses told authorities.

As Signal Mountain officers investigated the crash, Speek pulled up in a different vehicle about 15 minutes later, records show. Immediately recognized by a witness, Speek said he believed he caused the crash but he couldn't remember how.

He told officers he retraced his steps to the accident and was taken to Erlanger hospital and diagnosed with a concussion and retrograde amnesia, records show.

Nearly one month later, he was issued citations for leaving the scene of an accident with injuries, failure to render aid, and failure to maintain lane. Because Speek came in voluntarily and cooperated, he was never arrested, Signal Mountain Police Department Chief Mike Williams said.

Speek's case was then sent to Hamilton County General Sessions Court and bound over to a grand jury in February by a special judge. Earlier this month, jurors returned an indictment on the charges.

Last week, Hamilton County District Attorney General Neal Pinkston recused himself from the case, appointing Craig Northcott, a special prosecutor from the 14th Judicial District, to handle all matters, records show.

Since the accident, Speek's case has gained a civil dimension, too.

In March, the couple sued Speek seeking damages for personal injury, pain and suffering, lost wages, permanent disfigurement, property damage, loss of consortium and medical expenses.

Their lawsuit does not call for a specific amount of cash but says the accident "was caused by, at a bare minimum, the negligence of Mr. Speek." Circuit Court clerks said Speek received the lawsuit but hasn't filed a response yet.

The couple's attorney, Christopher Varner, declined comment Friday.

Turner also declined comment on the suit.

Contact staff writer Zack Peterson at 423-757-6347 or zpeterson@timesfreepress.com.

Upcoming Events