Gabrielle Boone dies in fatal Fayette County, Tenn. crash

Gabrielle Boone dies in fatal Fayette County, Tenn. crash
Fatal Fayette County, Tenn. crash death of Gabrielle Boone – Obituary

Gabrielle Boone, 33, lost her life in a collision on a rural road in Fayette County, Tennessee, after another motorist allegedly drove under the influence, according to state troopers.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol says the crash occurred just before 6:30 p.m. on January 4 on State Route 59, when Boone’s vehicle and another car struck each other.

Investigators identified the other driver as 46‑year‑old Olen Rhea, who walked away without serious injury, as did his 11‑year‑old passenger.

Troopers reported finding empty vodka bottles in Rhea’s vehicle at the scene, and after the crash they located him barefoot in nearby woods. He allegedly told officers he had been hunting, though no firearm was found.

Rhea was taken into custody and is charged with vehicular homicide, reckless endangerment, failure to stop, leaving the scene, driving without a license and driving under the influence.

Court records show Rhea previously faced a DUI charge in 2019, and at that time was ordered to use an ignition interlock device in his vehicle. That device was not present on his vehicle at the time of this crash, troopers said.

Family and friends have been left to mourn Boone’s death as authorities continue to process the case and prepare for prosecution.