James Leonard Vaughn, age 35, appeared before the Overton County Criminal Court on Wednesday (6/21/2023) and entered a plea of guilty on numerous criminal offenses stemming from a May 2022 head-on crash in Livingston that killed an unborn child. According to a press release posted to District Attorney General Bryant C. Dunaway’s Facebook page, Vaughn pleaded guilty to:
- Aggravated Vehicular Homicide, a Class A felony
- Vehicular Assault, a Class D felony;
- Reckless Endangerment, a Class E felony (2 counts)
- Driving on a revoked driver license, a Class A misdemeanor.
Vaughn was sentenced to serve 21 years incarceration.
During the nighttime hours of May 12, 2022 Vaughn’s vehicle was seen by witnesses traveling on the wrong side of Highway 85 with no headlights on. He crashed head-on into a vehicle occupied by Daniel Flatt, his wife Halie Flatt, and son Titus Flatt. Halie Flatt was 9 months pregnant with their son Silas Flatt at the time of the crash. Halie suffered blunt force injuries that caused her full term unborn son Silas Flatt to pass away.
During the plea hearing, Daniel and Halie Flatt both gave victim impact statements expressing how difficult this situation has been to their family. They encouraged James Leonard Vaughn to open his Bible and look after his soul while he is in prison.
(Photo James Leonard Vaughn, courtesy DA Dunaway Facebook)
