Soldier sentenced to 15 years

Posted on March 3, 2021

The man charged in the December 2018 fatal crash the claimed the life of beloved Taylor County High School (TCHS) JROTC instructor 1st Sgt. Eddie L. Smith has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after pleading “no contest” to DUI manslaughter and four other counts.

Tanner Marcus Welch, who was himself a member of the U.S. Army at the time of the crash, entered an open plea of “nolo contendere” (no contest) on Jan. 13 to DUI manslaughter and four counts of DUI with damage to property/individuals.

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