Police: Illegal Immigrant Blamed For Musician's Death
POSTED: 7:16 pm CDT August 2,
2006
UPDATED: 1:03 am CDT August 3,
2006
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- A well-known person who worked behind the scenes of Nashville's music industry died Tuesday night in a traffic accident. According to Metro Police, the accident was caused by a heavily intoxicated illegal immigrant who got behind the wheel.Derrington was a father, husband, mandolin aficionado and general manager of sales and repair at Gibson Guitar Company.On Tuesday night, Derrington was on his motorcycle when police say Julio Villasana, 33, crashed into him on Briley Parkway. Because of his actions and his driving, police believe Villasana was drunk."The suspect's vehicle was, in fact, in the southbound lane of traffic going the wrong way," said Sgt. Bob Sheffield, Metro Police.Police say Villasana also fled from the accident and was later apprehended. Immigration officials tell Metro Police that Villasana had been deported before and there is no record of his legal re-entry into the country.Derrington has a large extended family of famous musicians. He even repaired Monroe's once smashed mandolin that now rests in the Country Music Hall of Fame.Villasana is from Louisville, Ky., and was not injured in the accident. Federal agents have put a federal hold on him as his immigration status is verified.Police said Villasana has no criminal history in Nashville. He is in jail as of Wednesday on a $100,000 bond.Derrington leaves behind a wife and daughter. There is a memorial service set for Thursday evening.This incident comes just two months after Gustavo Garcia Reyes, another illegal immigrant, was charged with killing two people in a drunk driving accident.
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