After deputy crashes into civilian’s car, county insurance refuses to pay for damages

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WSMV) - For Katie Smith, it was a four-wheel payoff after working years at just nine dollars an hour.

“Bought it in cash for $7,000,” the MTSU student said, standing beside her 2015 Hyundai Sedan.

Or, at least, what’s left of it.

“I can barely turn the wheel because the wheel well is damaged,” Smith said, showing off the damage to the front of the vehicle, now torn completely open to reveal the inner workings of the headlight.

The cause of the damage: an accident on Oct. 12 at the intersection of Franklin Road and Blaze Road in Murfreesboro.

Despite a crash report that stated Rutherford County deputy Trey Calson improperly changed lanes, the insurance company for the Rutherford County government is denying liability and refusing it pay.

“The denial letter is so shocking and confusing to me,” Smith said.

According to the crash report investigated by a THP trooper, Calson had his emergency lights on and crossed three lanes of traffic, causing Smith to crash into him.

Smith said she saw the deputy’s lights as he sat idle in the middle turn lane before the crash occurred, thinking she was doing the right thing by passing beside him along with other drivers.

Smith’s boyfriend, Mason Nolan, was also in the vehicle and said as they moved forward, the deputy didn’t turn on his siren and crossed three lanes of traffic.

“It happened pretty quickly,” Nolan said. “It wasn’t like, whoa, whoa, whoa, It was like, boom.”

While shaken up by the crash, Smith didn’t worry at first, knowing that she wasn’t given a citation. Then, she read the THP crash report that under the “driver actions” portion of the crash report, Calson improperly changed lanes.

But on October 25, Smith received a letter from a claims adjuster for CCMSI, the insurance company for the Rutherford County government.

The company denied any liability, writing, “Our completed investigation has determined there is no negligence found on Rutherford County Sheriff’s department.”

The denial letter goes on to claim that in the absence of “any independent witness” or other conclusive evidence, there will be no payout to Smith.

In an additional voicemail left on Smith’s phone, the adjuster cites reviewing dash cam video with the county’s insurance and risk management department in the decision to deny liability.

“You would think a government entity would treat people a little better. I just expected more from Rutherford County,” said Jeryla Nolan, Mason’s mother.

With her vehicle now undrivable, Smith said she can’t afford to buy another car, given that it took her two years to save up enough money to purchase her Hyundai.

Starting Monday night, WSMV4 Investigates called and emailed the claims adjuster, his supervisor, the Rutherford County attorney, the Rutherford County insurance and risk management division, and the Rutherford County sheriff’s department, but none responded by our deadline.

WSMV4 Investigates did speak to Rutherford County Mayor Joe Carr, and he said he would see what he could find out and get back to us.

WSMV4 Investigates has now filed an open records request to get the dash cam video from the accident, and as soon as we obtain it, we’ll follow up.

If there’s something you want us to know about this story or anything else, email Jeremy.finley@wsmv.com.

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