ARNOLDSBURG MAN PAUL HUNTER SENTENCED IN DEATH OF RICK THOMAS

(12/17/2017)
An Arnoldsburg man, Paul Hunter, 24, pled guilty in Roane Circuit Court to a DUI charge resulting in the death of a Millstone man, Rick Thomas, 56, an incident that happened in November 2016.

Thomas was heading toward Spencer on US 33-119 on a motorcycle when he was struck head-in by a car driven by Hunter, his vehicle going the opposite direction.

Hunter admitted using meth and marijuana about one hour before the crash.

Roane County Sheriff Todd Cole said Hunter was "tweaking" and appeared to be under the influence of meth at the scene.

Hunter returned to court in November for sentencing by Judge Craig Tatterson.

He was given credit for 364 days served.

He was sentenced as a repeat offender, which allowed the 3-year sentence to be doubled to 6 years.