Fatima Guadalupe Valenzuela-Flores Car Accident: Driver Charged After Passenger Dies After Falling from Window in Sullivan County Crash

 After a fatal collision early Monday morning, Sullivan County authorities have accused a 21-year-old man with several crimes, including DUI and vehicular murder. The terrible occurrence occurred along Highway 421 at Shady Ford Road just before 4 a.m., according to the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP). According to investigators, just before the collision, a passenger leaned out of the window of the 2013 Chevrolet Equinox that was involved, which was heading north.

According to THP's initial report, the car went into a ditch after veering off the right side of the road. Fatima Guadalupe Valenzuela-Flores, age 21, was the passenger who was flung from the car during the collision and ended up in the ditch. The 911 call was promptly answered by emergency personnel, but Valenzuela-Flores was declared dead at the site despite their best efforts to save his life. Her injuries were consistent with being ejected during the incident, according to authorities.

The driver, who THP has identified as 21-year-old Jacob Dylan Chambers, allegedly left the site of the collision right away. Troops found and arrested Chambers when he went back past the scene, crossed the bridge over South Holston Lake, and stopped in a nearby boat ramp parking area, according to investigators. Following his arrest, Chambers was accused with reckless endangerment, driving with a suspended license, DUI, and vehicular murder.

Authorities said a second passenger inside the Equinox was unharmed. Investigators are still looking into the events leading up to the collision, including whether Chambers's suspected intoxication and the passenger's behavior played a role in the fatal result. 

To ascertain Chambers' blood alcohol content at the time of the incident, THP will also perform toxicology testing as part of the ongoing investigation.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol stressed that this event highlights the risks associated with driving while intoxicated and recklessly. Officials reminded the public that driving while intoxicated is a crime that can have fatal repercussions and asked drivers to make prudent decisions, particularly when transporting passengers. "Every fatal crash we look into serves as a warning that one bad decision can ruin many lives," a THP representative stated.

The loss of Valenzuela-Flores has devastated her friends and family. She was characterized by loved ones as a pleasant and active young lady with a promising future. The community laments her passing and hopes that justice will provide some closure while the investigation is ongoing. The Tennessee Highway Patrol is asking anyone with more information about the collision to get in touch with them, according to authorities.