Truck driver Benjamin Brewer could face decades in prison if he’s convicted for failing to stop his semi-truck on Interstate 75 and causing a wreck that killed six people on June 25 – but authorities have to find him first.
Brewer, 39, remains a free man today, even though Chattanooga police issued a warrant for his arrest on Monday after the 39-year-old Kentucky man was indicted on 13 criminal charges related to the wreck.
He is wanted for six counts of vehicular homicide, four counts of reckless aggravated assault, driving under the influence of narcotics, speeding and making false reports.
Ben BrewerDeputies went straight to the London, Ky., address Brewer provided crash investigators when the warrant came through on Monday, but discovered his relatives lived at that address, not him, said Laurel County Sheriff’s Office public information officer Gilbert Acciardo.
Those family members have not seen or heard from Brewer and don’t know where he is, Acciardo said. Authorities have visited multiple locations to look for Brewer, but deputies have no leads on his whereabouts, he added.
“We’re at square one right now,” Acciardo said.
It’s possible Brewer is unaware of the warrant for his arrest, but that’s fairly unlikely considering the amount of media coverage on the indictment, Acciardo said.
“I can’t help but believe with all the media attention there has been – he’s got to know there is an outstanding warrant right now,” he said. “The next two days will be real paramount to see whether he will turn himself in.”
Acciardo said it’s not unusual for law enforcement to take several days – or even many days – to arrest someone on a warrant, especially if the suspect doesn’t want to be found. Kentucky State Police are also on the lookout for Brewer.
Chattanooga police declined to comment on the search for Brewer, and Hamilton County District Attorney Neal Pinkston did not respond to a request for comment. Police department communications coordinator Kyle Miller said in a statement that Pinkston’s office asked the police not to discuss the case.
“At this time, the District Attorney’s Office has requested that the Chattanooga Police Department refrain from interviews or releasing any additional information until the conclusion of preliminary hearing,” the statement read.
Each vehicular homicide charge carries between eight and 30 years in prison as well as a $25,000 fine, according to Tennessee law. Brewer could face another two to 12 years on each of the aggravated assault charges.
The remaining charges are misdemeanors.
Contact staff writer Shelly Bradbury at 423-757-6525or sbradbury@timesfreepress.com with tips or story ideas.