Louisville woman charged with vehicular homicide

By Mark Boxley
of The Daily Times Staff

A 40-year-old Louisville woman has been charged with vehicular homicide apparently stemming from a fatal accident in Alcoa on June 14, 2007.

Margaret Laverne Arden, 40, Kenway Drive, Louisville, was arrested on a capias warrant charging her with the count on Wednesday. She was free the same day on $50,000 bond.

The 2007 accident took place on Hall Road near the intersection of Associates Boulevard when Arden -- at the time identified by authorities as Margaret L. Riddle -- reportedly rear-ended a motorcycle driven by John E. Younce Jr., 46, Maryville. Younce was thrown from his motorcycle and landed on his head, according to information from the Alcoa Police Department at the time.

While Younce was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident, his injuries were severe and he was pronounced dead at Blount Memorial Hospital a short time later.

Arden reportedly told officers that she was approaching the traffic signal at the intersection when it changed from red to green, and she continued through because she didn't see Younce stopped at the intersection.

According to the Alcoa police report at the time of the accident, officers indicated that drugs and/or alcohol may have played a role in the accident.

In a separate Alcoa police report, officers reported a "suspected crack rock" was retrieved from a purse in Arden's vehicle while she was at the hospital having blood drawn -- which is standard procedure after a fatal accident. Arden was arrested and charged at the time in connection with the discovery of the suspected illicit substance.

Arden is free on bond pending a 9 a.m. hearing Friday in Blount County Circuit Court.