A 40-year-old man from Harriman, Tennessee, named Christopher Eugene Hawkins, is facing serious charges after he fatally struck a 7-year-old child with his vehicle on Thursday evening along Hanging Rock Road in Morgan County. According to District Attorney General Russell Johnson and a preliminary report from the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Hawkins was driving a 2015 Ram 3500 when he hit the child, who was on the left side of a driveway. He continued driving afterward, made a left turn, and then came to a controlled stop in the next driveway. Hawkins has been charged with driving under the influence, vehicular homicide, aggravated assault by recklessness, and violation of implied consent. He is being held on a $1 million bond. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is assisting in the ongoing investigation.

The child was a second-grade student at Oakdale School, as confirmed by Morgan County Director of Schools Jamie Pemberton. In response to the tragedy, the school posted a message on social media expressing condolences to the family, students, staff, and community. Counseling services were scheduled for Monday, April 6th, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the school library for anyone affected, with extended support planned for the days ahead. The school emphasized its commitment to helping everyone process the devastating loss.