Inset: Tionne Spears (Bexar County Jail). Background: The State Highway 211 near Lambada Drive in San Antonio, Texas, where Spears allegedly ran over a man”s body (Google Maps).
Tionne Spears, 26, faces charges including driving while intoxicated, abuse of a corpse, and possession of a controlled substance.
The unsettling event unfolded on Friday night along State Highway 211 near Lambada Drive in San Antonio, as reported by Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar. A 61-year-old pedestrian was initially hit by a vehicle’s side mirror, causing him to fall onto the road. A second vehicle then accidentally ran over him, leading to his death. Authorities have indicated that the first two drivers involved are not suspected of any criminal activity.
While officers secured the scene and began their investigation, Spears allegedly drove into the secured area, running over the deceased man’s body and narrowly missing the deputies present, according to Sheriff Salazar.
Spears was subsequently arrested. Authorities suspect that she was under the influence of khat, a stimulant plant from Africa known for inducing a heightened sense of confidence and reducing pain sensitivity. The substance gained more attention after being featured in the film “Black Hawk Down” as used by combatants against U.S. forces, noted the sheriff.
Spears was taken into custody. Deputies believe Spears was under the influence of khat, a plant native to Africa known to give users “a sense of bravado” and increase their pain tolerance, Salazar said. The sheriff noted it gained notoriety after the movie “Black Hawk Down” depicted its use by men attacking U.S. troops.
“Thankfully our investigators were not hurt,” Salazar said. “But again it’s unfortunate that this poor victim, who’d already been through a lot obviously, had his body run over as a result of this lady’s level of intoxication and her unawareness of where she was.”
Spears was taken to the Bexar County Jail and has since posted a $14,100 bond. She has a court date set for March 30.
