A federal judge has ruled that a lawsuit will move forward against Meigs County and the estate of a rookie deputy who drove his patrol car into a river, drowning a handcuffed woman in the back seat.

U.S. District Judge Clifton Corker declined to dismiss the estate of Deputy Robert J. Leonard from the civil suit. While Judge Corker kept Meigs County as a defendant in the case, he did dismiss specific allegations against the county regarding assault, battery, and the intentional infliction of emotional distress.

The lawsuit stems from a late-night incident in February 2024. Deputy Leonard had responded to a disturbance call and placed Tabatha Marie Smith, 35, under arrest. Shortly after taking her into custody, Leonard drove his cruiser down a narrow road and straight into the Tennessee River.

The tragic timeline of the crash revealed several critical details:

• Distracted Driving: Evidence presented in court stated that Deputy Leonard was texting his wife and a friend just moments before the vehicle entered the water.
• Missed Warnings: Plaintiff attorney Robin Flores noted that the route was marked with rumble strips and multiple warning signs indicating the road ended at the river.
• The Aftermath: Deputy Leonard’s body was later recovered from the river outside the vehicle. Ms. Smith was found dead in the back seat, still wearing handcuffs.

The federal wrongful death lawsuit was filed by Ms. Smith’s children. Following the judge’s recent ruling, the core of the suit will continue to target both the county and the late deputy’s estate.

Attorney Neal Pinkston is currently serving as the guardian ad litem representing the Leonard estate as the case heads toward trial.