1 dead, 1 charged with vehicular homicide in north Jackson wreck

JACKSON, Tenn. — A man is in custody after a tragic wreck that killed one and injured others.

📸: Vinelink

A preliminary report by the Tennessee Highway Patrol shows that 23-year-old Jaylan Markell Murphy has been charged with vehicular homicide, reckless endangerment, possession of schedule VI drugs, possession of a handgun while under the influence, driving under the influence, open container law, reckless driving, and violation of implied consent law.

The charges stem from a crash that occurred in north Jackson late Tuesday night.

The THP report shows the wreck happened around 11:12 p.m. at Highway 45 Bypass and Oil Well Road.

According to the report, Murphy was traveling on the bypass in a 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee while three other vehicles — a 2022 Ford Edge, a 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe, and a 2023 Ford Explorer — were stationary at the intersection of the bypass and Oil Well Road, where a collision occurred in the roadway.

The report confirms the wreck claimed the life of 74-year-old Sam Walker, who was operating the Ford Edge.

Murphy and the drivers of the two other vehicles also received injuries, the report shows. All parties involved are Tennessee residents.

According to jail records, Murphy was booked into the Madison County jail around 3:54 a.m. on Wednesday, where he remains in custody at the time of this report.

Information available online shows that Murphy is scheduled for a criminal hearing on November 4 at 1 p.m. in Madison County Circuit Court.

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