NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — DNA from a water bottle helped lead to the arrest of a driver believed to be responsible for a deadly hit-and-run crash more than two years ago.

Kimberly Benezue, a 26-year-old mother, was killed after a driver of a stolen vehicle crashed into her and drove away in the early morning hours of Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023. A stolen Dodge Charger slammed into her vehicle at the intersection of Dickerson Pike and Old Hickory Boulevard.

According to court documents, an officer nearby attempted to stop the stolen Charger after it was seen "conducting donuts in the roadway" prior to the crash. The Charger fled the traffic stop along with other vehicles performing "street racing" activity.

Surveillance footage captured from businesses at the intersection shows the vehicles run a red light before the Charger hits Benezue's Mazda 3 at a high rate of speed.

According to court documents, only one person from the Charger got into a waiting white sports car and did not check on Benezue nor her passenger. The passenger inside the Mazda was transported to Skyline Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries, according to officials.

Investigators said event data from the Charger reported the vehicle was traveling at 69 mph before the crash while the posted speed limit is 35 mph.

Water bottles from the Charger were swabbed for potential trace evidence. DNA was obtained that identified the possible driver as 25-year-old Torione Bean, Jr.

Bean was booked into the Metro jail Tuesday and charged with criminal homicide, drag racing with serious bodily injury, leaving the scene of an accident causing death, evading arrest and vehicle theft. His bond was set at $150,000.

News 2 spoke with Angela Hudson, Kimberly Benezue’s mother, more than two years after the crash. Hudson has been fighting every day for her daughter. At first, she questioned why police did not pursue the vehicle.

A year later, Hudson was told the DNA from the stolen vehicle was lost after it was sent to the crime lab. In April, MNPD told News 2 they sent a third request 14 months later, but no evidence came from it.

Hudson remained hopeful and said she’ll continue to fight until there is justice. “The way I see it, I turned it all over to God.”

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/nashville/dna-on-water-bottle-leads-to-arrest-in-deadly-cold-case-crash/