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A Decatur man charged with vehicular homicide in the death of Tanner resident Charles Page Sr. has died in an automobile crash in Decatur.
Richard Allen Wilkerson, 37, of 303 Courtney Drive, Apt. 24, was found unresponsive in his truck about 11:48 a.m. Oct. 21 by School Resource Officer Rance Sutherlin, according to a press release filed by Decatur Police Officer Chris Moffett.
He was taken to Decatur General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to the press release.
“It appears Wilkerson suffered a heart attack while traveling south on Sixth Avenue before leaving the roadway at Church Street,” Moffett stated. “No foul play is suspected.”
A memorial service was held Friday in Decatur for Wilkerson, who is survived by his wife, a daughter, a stepdaughter, his father and other family members.
Criminal case ends, civil continues
Wilkerson was indicted in August on charges of vehicular homicide, reckless driving, second-degree assault and following too close. He is accused of causing the Sept. 7, 2010, wreck that killed 96-year-old Page Sr. and seriously injured his daughter, Caroline Page, director of Limestone County Department of Human Resources.
Caroline was traveling south on U.S. 31 with her father when her truck was struck from behind by a truck driven by Wilkerson near RJW Manufacturing in Athens about 7:30 p.m., according to law-enforcement officers. The Page vehicle was forced off the road and into a culvert, officers said.
Wilkerson had been free on $56,000 bail since his indictment.
His death means the criminal charges will be dropped.
“We will file a written motion that informs the court the defendant is deceased, and a judge will dismiss the case,” Limestone County District Attorney Brian Jones said.
A civil suit is still pending, however.
Caroline filed a wrongful death lawsuit in Limestone County Circuit Court against Wilkerson as well as Southern Cable Services and Charter Communications, for whom Wilkinson worked as a cable technician. The lawsuit claims Wilkerson was acting as an agent or employee of Southern Cable Services and Charter and within the line and scope of his employment at the time of the wreck. She is seeking a jury trial and an unspecified amount of money.
Well-known Tanner residents
Page, who retired from farming in 1984, was married to his wife Martha for almost 60 years before her death in 2008. He and his wife volunteered for many agencies, including the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, the Department of Human Resources and Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful. He was also the father of Charles Page Jr., Limestone County Circuit Court Clerk.
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