Update: Karlisha Norwood has been released from the hospital and is now jailed on upgraded charges of vehicular homicide by intoxication and, after consultation with the District Attorney's Office, criminal homicide. Her 3-year-old daughter died from injuries sustained in the crash. Her son, who turned 3 on July 18, remains hospitalized and continues to recover. Additionally, Norwood is charged with child endangerment, aggravated child abuse, aggravated assault with a motor vehicle, DUI, and driving without insurance. She is being held in lieu of $285,000 bond.
The driver of a 2011 Nissan Sentra, Karlisha Norwood, 35, faces several charges after Wednesday's 8:15 a.m. collision on Harding Pike near Percy Warner Boulevard that gravely injured her two young children.
The preliminary investigation indicates that Norwood was traveling eastbound on Harding Pike, weaving in and out of traffic, prior to crossing over the double yellow lines into the westbound lanes of travel where she collided head-on with a Toyota Tacoma pickup truck. Norwood was transported to Vanderbilt Medical Center where she is in critical/stable condition. Her son, who is nearly 3-years-old, and her daughter, who would turn 4 in September, were both transported to Vanderbilt's Children's Hospital with life threatening injuries. Both children were in child safety seats. The driver of the Toyota Tacoma was treated and released.
Norwood admitted to taking prescription medication prior to the crash. A search warrant was obtained for a blood draw from her with results pending.
Upon her release from the hospital, Norwood will be charged with two counts of vehicular assault, child endangerment, aggravated child abuse, aggravated assault with a motor vehicle, DUI, and driving without insurance.
Related Images
Karlisha Norwood, 35,