Neighbor of driver accused of driving through Selmer car show speaks out

HARDEMAN CO., Tenn. — A neighbor of the man accused of driving through a crowd in Selmer over the weekend, killing two bystanders, spoke only with WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News about the accident and the man.

Investigators said 91-year-old Aaron Stamey was behind the wheel Saturday causing a fatal crash in downtown Selmer, killing Michael Johnson and Sherri Duncan.

Kirk Theetge said he has lived near the Stameys for more than 30 years, and said Stamey is a good, safe, cautious driver.

“He would go maybe see his son, or only go to town when it is absolutely necessary, I mean they don’t ever go nowhere,” he said.

Investigators said Stamey drove through a barricade set up for the Highway Rockabilly Revival Festival, hitting Johnson and Duncan.

“They don’t speed, he’s a real safe driver, he doesn’t hardly go anywhere,” Thetgee said. “He comes through very slow, and watches for my animals and stuff, I respect him, I like him coming up and down the road. I don’t have to worry about him like these other nuts running over my animals and stuff, you now he is very cautious.”

Stamey’s neighbor said the crash has sent a shock wave through their small community, and he is not sure how anyone will move forward.

“Super religious people, and and I mean there is no way, I mean I know it has destroyed them, I know that for a fact,” Thetgee.

We spoke with the Stameys at their home in Hardeman County. While they were nice to us, they declined to go on camera about the crash.

Lt. Brad Wilbanks of the Tennessee Highway Patrol said as of right now, no charges have been filed. He could not say when or if that will happen.