Tennessee Man Smashed Pedestrian in Violent Collision, Later Arrested With Victim's Torso in Car

A Tennessee man has been arrested after police allegedly discovered half a human torso in his vehicle after he crashed following a brief chase.

Dorrae Debrice Johnson, 29, is accused of vehicular homicide after a Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper discovered the upper part of a man's torso. The officer originally tried to pull him over for a traffic stop after the suspect was seen driving erratically around 3:30 a.m. on Interstate 40 on June 16.

As the officer approached the vehicle, Johnson sped away, yelling out the window that he needed to quickly get back to his family's home, reported WATE.

The officer got back into his vehicle and pursued the suspect, according to an arrest report. Johnson blew a tire after hitting a curb while driving down the wrong side of the road having taken the Sutherland Avenue exit in Knoxville, before eventually crashing into a utility pole.

Johnson is then accused of getting out of his car and attempting to flee on foot. The officer was able to catch up with the 29-year-old and take him into custody. When the officer asked him how much he had been drinking, suspecting him of being under the influence, Johnson said he was unsure but admitted he was "blitzed."

The officer found the severed torso on the passenger-side floorboard as he went to Johnson's vehicle to turn off the ignition. When the officer asked who was in the car with him, Johnson replied that he and the passenger had switched seats, according to the arrest report.

Police found the lower half of the torso at the scene of an accident where they believe Johnson struck and killed a pedestrian. The victim was identified as 65-year-old Darryl Eugene Butler after police recovered his wallet from the scene.

According to Knox County Sheriff's Office online records, Johnson was also arrested and charged with driving while licenserevoked and evading arrest/flight.

As noted by the Knoxville News Sentinel, Butler was formally homeless but was recently placed in public housing, according to Volunteer Ministry Center (VMC)

"Daryl achieved housing 2-3 weeks ago and had persevered for over a year to achieve his housing goal and to leave the streets behind him," the VMC said in a tribute posted on Facebook.

"Even though life had not always been easy, Daryl was a bigger than life personality and will be remembered for his smile, contagious positive attitude and always having a story to share with others."