Tyler Frizzell Pleads Guilty To Homicide, DUI

A young man tells a judge he's guilty of killing another man and critically injuring two others after a night of partying.

Steven Tyler Frizzell is looking at up to 20-years in prison for all the charges he pleaded guilty to Monday, but his sentence will probably be closer to eight years if all the charges run concurrently.

The case was supposed to go to trial Tuesday before prosecutors and Frizzell's attorney reached a compromise December 22.

The 22-year-old Frizzell told Hamilton County Criminal Court Judge Don Poole he is guilty of vehicular homicide, two counts of vehicular assault and DUI first offense. In exchange for his pleas Assistant District Attorney Neal Pinkston dropped two charges of reckless aggravated assault. 

It all goes back to Memorial Day morning 2007 when the red Ford Taurus Frizzell was driving at excessive speeds on Old Hixson Pike crossed the center line and slamed head-on into a Dodge Durango. 72-year-old Robert Frizzell died, his wife Joann and friend Ruby Arnold were left with crippling injuries.

"I still have a lot of pain and I still have to wear my braces in order to walk," Joann Frizzell said.

Her friend Mrs. Arnold still uses a walker to get around almost two years after the crash.

Testimony from earlier hearings shows Frizzell, no relation to the victims, had alcohol, cocaine and Valium in his blood at the time of the crash. Later, while out on bond, Frizzell was caught buying beer at a convenience store and had to serve about ten months in jail when bond was revoked. He was later released again on a $250,000 bond while awaiting trial.

A trial was scheduled last year but was postponed because of a small fire at the Hamilton County Courts Building that forced the evacuation of everyone inside. The case was rescheduled to go to trial Tuesday before attorneys worked out a deal just before Christmas.

Frizzell's attorney Lee Davis said "this is a case where, it's a tragedy, this is something that's in his best interest and we feel a sentencing hearing will give all parties a chance to be heard and let the judge fairly determine the matter in terms of sentence."

Frizzell is facing eight to 12 years for vehicular homicide and two to four years for each count of vehicular assault. In addition his driving privileges will be revoked for three years.

"To me it's not enough, nothing is going to bring my husband back," Joann Frizzell said.

Testimony shows Tyler Frizzell is now under the care of an uncle while enrolled in a church-based program outside of Chattanooga.

"He's been in an alcohol program since then, a serious program, and I think he understands his actions have consequences," Davis said.

The Frizzell family that was victimized said no matter how much Tyler has changed or rehabilitated they don't think eight to 12 years is a fair sentence for killing and crippling people while under the influence.

Robert Frizzell's son Marty added "I would like to see the laws changed on vehicular homicide that it carries a lot more time than eight to 12 years."

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for March 16 and Judge Poole will hear testimony from both sides. After that he will decide the exact punishment for Tyler Frizzell.