Matthew Christian, 49 of Knoxville, has been charged with driving under the influence after leaving the scene of a crash that critically injured a 20-year-old woman.

At around 7:15 p.m. on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, Knoxville Police Department arrived at the scene of a crash on Middlebrook Pike at Amherst Road.

According to witness statements, a white Vespa moped was traveling east on Middlebrook Pike and stopped at the Amherst Road light when it was rear-ended by a gray Dodge Charger. The female moped driver was thrown off of the moped and into the road. The Charger left the scene shortly after the crash and prior to the arrival of officers.

The female victim was transported to the UT Medical Center with critical, life-threatening injuries.

While officers were at the scene, another KPD officer spotted a car matching the description of the Dodge Charger involved in the crash traveling west on Middlebrook Pike. Officers stopped the car at Middlebrook Pike and Dick Lonas Road, and identified the driver as Matthew Christian. The car also had noticeable front-end damage consistent with the crash.

Christian exhibited multiple signs of being under the influence. Upon further investigation, Christian, who has a prior DUI conviction from May 2021, was taken into custody for DUI. Additional charges are likely.

The crash that preceded the DUI arrest remains under investigation.