Paris, Tenn.—A Martin man initially charged with two counts of vehicular homicide following the death of a McKenzie woman in an accident near Henry in 2017 was sentenced to four years in jail Wednesday in Henry Co. Circuit Court.
Matthew Griffin, age 34, had been indicted on charges of vehicular homicide, DUI first offense, reckless driving, improper lane usage, speeding and failure to exercise due care.
A McKenzie woman, Stacey Couturier, age 37, was a passenger in Griffin’s vehicle and was killed in the accident, which occurred on Hwy. 79S. At the time of the accident, the Tennessee Highway Patrol said that Griffin attempted to pass a semi in the emergency lane (on the right shoulder of the highway).
In court, Griffin pleaded no contest to an amended charge of reckless homicide.
He was sentenced to serve four years in the Department of Correction and fined $500.
District Attorney Matt Stowe appeared in court Monday and said the family of the victim had forgiven Griffin and wanted charges dropped, but he didn’t feel dropping all the charges would be in the best interests of the public.