The family of a Tennessee woman found dead in the backseat of a submerged police patrol car is now suing Meigs County for $10 million following the tragedy.
Meigs County Sheriff’s Deputy Robert “RJ” Leonard, who had been on the job less than two months, arrested 35-year-old Tabitha Smith after responding to a report of a man and a woman sleeping one evening in February around 10 p.m. had an hour-long argument on a bridge. .
For Leonard, who joined the force after 12 weeks of training, it was the new deputy’s first-ever solo arrest.
But the deputy’s vehicle drove into the Tennessee River after making a wrong turn, causing them both to drown.
A lawsuit has now been filed by Smith’s son Nathan on behalf of his mother.
Tabitha Smith, 35, was found dead in the backseat of a submerged police patrol vehicle
Smith’s remains were discovered in the backseat of a police patrol car shortly before the missing deputy’s body was also recovered from the Tennessee River.
Deputy Leonard “was not properly trained by the county to know his assigned patrol area and the nature of the incident location,” the complaint alleges, before stating that Leonard “was not properly trained or supervised by the county to respond witnessing the use of his cell phone while transporting a detainee in a patrol vehicle.”
Minutes before the fatal dive, Leonard had texted his wife about the arrest to which she responded, “that’s awesome” — though the deputy never received a response from her.
Leonard had called his dispatch one last time saying “water” before all communication with the office was lost.
Smith was still handcuffed in the backseat and was unable to free himself as the icy river water rushed into the car.
The next day, Leonard’s patrol car was pulled from the Tennessee River and Smith’s body was recovered from the vehicle. Leonard’s body was found nearby hours later.
Robert “RJ” Leonard, a deputy with the Meigs County Sheriff’s Office, called 911 and said “water” before subsequently losing communication with the office
Tabitha Smith’s family is suing the county for $10 million in damages following her death
Leonard’s patrol car was pulled from the Tennessee River with Smith still handcuffed in the back
The deputy’s car is seen being towed after being pulled from the Tennessee River
Unfamiliar with the roads close to the river, Deputy Leonard drove off a boat ramp straight into the water and was unable to escape
“Leonard was not properly trained or supervised by the county to ensure the safety of the decedent while in custody,” the lawsuit alleges, noting how Smith likely “suffered a gruesome death.”
The lawsuit claims deprivation of liberty interests and bodily integrity, wrongful death, battery and assault, intentional infliction of emotional distress, gross negligence, loss of consortium and two violations of the Tennessee code.
Deputy Leonard had graduated from the training academy and joined the force last December.
“Deputy Leonard had only been here a few months, but he had become part of our family,” Chief Deputy Brian Malone said tearfully at a news conference last month.
‘It’s difficult for us here. It’s something we never have to deal with here in Meigs County,” he added.
“Deputy Leonard had only been here a few months, but he had become part of our family,” Chief Deputy Brian Malone said through tears during a press conference in February.
In his last radio conversation, Leonard said “water,” a word that authorities had to use “special techniques” to later decipher.
“Dispatch didn’t know what he was saying,” Johnson said. “We think he said ‘Water.’
A satellite tracking of his vehicle and a location sharing app on his phone led officers to Blythe Ferry Road near the Tennessee River.
“They triangulated the last position of his phone and the Life360 that his wife linked to his phone and it appears they are almost in the same location,” Johnson said.
When the vehicle was found it was upside down with the wheels up. The driver’s side window was also down.
Johnson said the deputy appeared to be texting and talking on the radio while driving on a treacherous road.
‘The roads are not well lit. They are not marked properly. They are narrow. “If he wasn’t paying attention, he could have gotten into the water pretty quickly,” Johnson said.
The deputy graduated from the training academy in December and subsequently entered the service
The devastating incident has left Leonard’s wife and children in fear, as his wife shared in a social media post
“We’re going with the theory that it was an accident – he missed his turn, he didn’t know him and he did other things that might have put him in the water,” Johnson said.
The devastating incident has left Leonard’s wife and children in fear, as his wife shared in a social media post.
‘Our lives have been changed forever. Please keep praying. Pray harder than ever before. My heart breaks for my kids, and I’m just an absolute wreck. I’ll start reaching out as soon as I can get it done.
‘For now I can only cry. We love you forever RJ. 17 years is not long enough for you,” she wrote.