MURFREESBORO, TN - UPDATE - The Murfreesboro Police Department's Fatal Accident Crash Team (FACT) is continuing their investigation into a hit-and-run fatal collision between a vehicle and a bicyclist that occurred on Thursday, July 18. The tragic incident took place next to the Walmart store in the 2900 block of S. Rutherford Blvd. around 5:30 in the evening. The identity of the 30-year-old male bicyclist is currently being withheld until his next of kin can be properly notified.
Murfreesboro Police confirmed the driver of the vehicle that is believed to have struck the man on the bike has been identified as 41-year-old Isaiah Isom of Murfreesboro. The suspect was driving a 2011 Buick Enclave at the time of the collision. Police say that initially, Isom fled the scene of the crash.
Adding a bizarre twist to the horrific case, two women reportedly drove the Buick Enclave involved in the collision back to the scene of the fatal crash. Once there, one of the women falsely claimed to have been the driver of the SUV. Investigators soon determined this story to be a complete fabrication. Upon detectives visiting Isom at his home, he initially denied being the driver but later admitted to his involvement.
Mr. Isom has been arrested and charged with leaving the scene of a crash that involves death or serious bodily injury and driving on a revoked license due to a previous DUI, as reported in a press release from the MPD. Additional charges may be forthcoming. The two women who allegedly conspired to mislead investigators were interviewed, and their involvement will be reviewed by the Rutherford County District Attorney General's Office and a Rutherford County Grand Jury.
The fatal crash remains under investigation by FACT investigators. Authorities are urging anyone who witnessed the crash or who know any details that could help detectives, to contact Officer Corey Smelser by email at 0973@murfreesborotn.gov.
Isom is currently held at the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center on an $8,000 bond. His preliminary court date is set for August 19, 2024 in Rutherford County General Sessions Court.
More on Suspect: Looking back at Isom’s past, it appears as if he is no stranger to the long arm of the law and has been arrested numerous times for violating court-imposed punishments. Last year, he was charged and convicted for his third offense of driving on a revoked license. In 2021, he was found guilty of DUI. He also has charges and convictions from both 2017 and 2019 for driving on a suspended license. Looking further back to 2009, he was charged with rape and ultimately plead guilty to one count of sexual battery and placed on the Tennessee Sex Offender Registry. In the years that followed, he was convicted of violating sex offender registry laws at least six times and was also charged with failing to appear in court, criminal impersonation, and violation of probation.
Below: Photo of crash location shortly after the incident occured.
Previous News Article HERE.
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