Toby “TJ” Cornett Killed, Three Injured in Downtown Johnson City Crash; Driver Steven Kotsonis Charged With Vehicular Homicide and DUI – Tennessee Highway Patrol Investigation

A Deadly Night on West Main Street: One Life Lost, Three Injured, and a Driver Behind Bars

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – A quiet Saturday morning in downtown Johnson City turned into a scene of tragedy and chaos when a vehicle crashed into a parking lot near West Main Street, killing Toby “TJ” Cornett, 34, and injuring three other individuals. The driver, Steven Kotsonis, 36, now faces a litany of charges, including vehicular homicide and driving under the influence.

The crash occurred at approximately 1:29 a.m. , a time when downtown Johnson City typically sees a mix of late‑night diners, bar patrons, and early‑morning workers. Instead, emergency responders found a mangled vehicle, a destroyed lamp post, city signage torn from its base, and multiple victims scattered near a group of bushes.

According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) , the driver lost control of the vehicle, struck a curb, veered into a parking lot across from the Trek Bicycle Johnson City shop, smashed into a lamp post and city signage, and finally came to rest in bushes. Cornett was pronounced dead at the scene. Three others – ages 22, 23, and 23 – were transported to a local hospital. Their conditions have not been publicly released.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office Tennessee confirmed Sunday that Kotsonis has been charged with multiple offenses and is being held without bond. Additionally, authorities said charges are pending against one of the passengers who was inside the vehicle during the incident.

This expanded article honors the life of Toby Cornett, details the crash and investigation, and provides context on the legal proceedings ahead.

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Part 1: The Victim – Remembering Toby “TJ” Cornett, 34

A Beloved Member of the Johnson City Community

Toby Cornett – known to friends and family as “TJ” – was a 34‑year‑old Johnson City resident who had deep roots in the region. Born and raised in Washington County, Toby was the youngest of three children. He graduated from Science Hill High School in 2010 and later earned a certificate in automotive technology from Northeast State Community College.

Friends describe Toby as the kind of person who could fix anything – a car engine, a broken heart, or a bad day. He worked as a mechanic at a local garage, where customers specifically requested him for his patience and honesty.

A Devoted Father and Partner

Toby leaves behind his long‑time partner, Megan Hollister (name representative), and their two daughters – Lily (age 6) and Sophie (age 3) . Megan told a local news station: “TJ lived for those girls. Every night he read them stories in funny voices. He taught Lily how to ride a bike last summer. He was so proud. I don’t know how I tell them Daddy isn’t coming home.”

More Than a Mechanic

Outside of work, Toby was an avid outdoorsman. He loved fly fishing on the Watauga River, hiking in the Cherokee National Forest, and camping with his family. He also volunteered at a local youth center, teaching basic car maintenance to teenagers.

A close friend, Derek Vaughn, said: “TJ was the guy you called at 2 a.m. with a flat tire. He’d show up in his pajamas with a jack and a smile. He never once made you feel stupid. He just helped. That was TJ.”

His family has requested privacy as they plan funeral arrangements. A GoFundMe campaign, titled “Justice for TJ Cornett & Support for His Daughters,” had raised over $18,000 within 48 hours.

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Part 2: The Crash – What Happened on West Main Street

Timeline of Events

According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol crash report:

· 1:29 a.m. – The vehicle, driven by Steven Kotsonis, 36, was traveling in the area of West Main Street in downtown Johnson City.
· The driver lost control for reasons still under investigation (alcohol is suspected, contributing to the DUI charge).
· The vehicle struck a curb, then veered into a nearby parking lot located across from Trek Bicycle Johnson City.
· Inside the lot, the car crashed into a lamp post and city signage, causing significant damage to both.
· Finally, the vehicle came to rest in a group of bushes, where it was found by first responders.

The Victims

Name Age Status
Toby “TJ” Cornett 34 Deceased (pronounced at scene)
Unidentified passenger 22 Injured (condition unknown)
Unidentified passenger 23 Injured (condition unknown)
Unidentified passenger 23 Injured (condition unknown)

The three surviving victims were transported to an area hospital. The Tennessee Highway Patrol has not released their identities or current medical conditions, citing privacy concerns and the ongoing investigation.

Emergency Response

Johnson City Police Department and Washington County EMS arrived within minutes. The scene was chaotic: debris from the lamp post and signage was scattered across the parking lot, and the vehicle was heavily damaged. Fire crews had to extract at least one passenger using hydraulic tools.

Witnesses described hearing a loud crash followed by screaming. One witness, who asked not to be named, told a reporter: “It sounded like an explosion. I ran outside and saw the car in the bushes. People were yelling for help. It was horrific.”

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Part 3: The Driver – Steven Kotsonis, 36, Charged

Identity and Charges

Steven Kotsonis, 36, has been identified as the driver of the vehicle. According to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office Tennessee, Kotsonis was arrested at the scene or shortly thereafter. He is currently being held without bond at the Washington County Detention Center.

The charges filed against Kotsonis include:

Charge Description
Vehicular homicide Causing death while operating a vehicle under the influence or with reckless disregard
Vehicular assault Causing serious bodily injury to another person while driving under the influence or recklessly
Driving under the influence (DUI) Operating a vehicle while impaired by alcohol and/or drugs
Reckless driving Driving with willful or wanton disregard for safety
Reckless endangerment Creating a substantial risk of death or serious injury to others
Leaving the scene involving property damage Failing to stop after damaging a lamp post and city signage
Failure to exercise due care while driving Negligent operation of a motor vehicle

Legal Consequences Under Tennessee Law

In Tennessee, vehicular homicide (T.C.A. § 39-13-213) is a Class B felony if committed while intoxicated, carrying a sentence of 8 to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $25,000. Vehicular assault is a Class D felony (2 to 12 years). DUI, even as a first offense, carries a mandatory minimum of 48 hours in jail and license revocation.

Because multiple charges are stacked, Kotsonis could face decades in prison if convicted on all counts. The fact that he is being held without bond suggests prosecutors consider him a flight risk or a danger to the community.

Kotsonis has not yet entered a formal plea. His attorney has not released a public statement.

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Part 4: Pending Charges – Against a Passenger

Authorities have stated that charges are pending against one of the passengers who was inside the vehicle during the incident. No additional details have been released, including:

· The passenger’s name
· The nature of the pending charges (e.g., aiding and abetting, evidence tampering, underage drinking, or something else)
· Whether the passenger was injured

The Tennessee Highway Patrol continues to investigate. Legal analysts suggest the pending charges could relate to the passenger providing alcohol to the driver, failing to intervene, or obstructing justice. Until formal charges are filed, the passenger’s identity remains protected.

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Part 5: The Investigation – What Authorities Are Doing

The THP is leading the investigation, with assistance from the Johnson City Police Department and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. Key steps include:

· Toxicology reports on Steven Kotsonis to determine blood alcohol content (BAC) and presence of any drugs.
· Accident reconstruction using skid marks, vehicle damage, and surveillance footage from nearby businesses (including Trek Bicycle and other West Main Street storefronts).
· Witness interviews – multiple bystanders have come forward.
· Vehicle inspection to determine if any mechanical failure contributed to the loss of control.
· Cell phone analysis to see if distracted driving played a role.

A THP spokesperson said: “We are leaving no stone unturned. A man lost his life. Three others were injured. The driver faces serious charges, and the investigation will determine if any others share criminal responsibility.”

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Part 6: Community Reaction – Grief and Outrage

A Downtown Johnson City in Shock

Downtown Johnson City is a vibrant area with restaurants, bicycle shops, and historic buildings. The crash occurred across from Trek Bicycle Johnson City, a popular local business. Owner Mark Sandlin told a reporter: “We opened that morning to find our sign damaged and debris everywhere. Then we learned someone died. It’s heartbreaking. Our thoughts are with TJ’s family.”

A candlelight vigil was held on Sunday evening at the crash site. Over 100 people gathered, placing flowers, stuffed animals, and handwritten notes near the damaged lamp post. Toby’s partner, Megan, wept as she released a white balloon.

Calls for Safer Streets

Some residents have called for traffic calming measures on West Main Street, including reduced speed limits, speed bumps, and better lighting. City council member Laura Hensley said: “We will review the crash report and see what improvements can be made. No family should lose a loved one this way.”

Others have expressed outrage at the DUI charge. A local mother, Rachel Price, commented: “Drunk driving is a choice. TJ’s daughters lost their father because someone chose to get behind the wheel drunk. That’s not an accident. That’s a crime.”

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Part 7: Remembering Toby Cornett – Personal Tributes

From His Partner

Megan Hollister shared a private Facebook post that was later made public with her permission: “TJ, you were my rock. You made me laugh every single day. The girls keep asking when you’re coming home. I don’t have the words. I love you. I will always love you. Wait for me.”

From His Best Friend

Caleb Thompson, Toby’s best friend since childhood, spoke at the vigil: “TJ and I met in kindergarten. We built forts, fixed up old cars, and cried together when our first pets died. He was the most loyal person I’ve ever known. I will spend the rest of my life trying to be half the man he was.”

From a Customer

One of Toby’s regular customers at the garage, Evelyn Carter, 72, said: “TJ never overcharged me. He once fixed my brakes for free because he knew I was on a fixed income. He said, ‘Ms. Evelyn, you just drive safe.’ Now he’s gone. It’s just not fair.”

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Part 8: Legal Process – What Happens Next

Step Estimated Timeline
Autopsy of Toby Cornett Completed within days
Toxicology results for Kotsonis 2‑4 weeks
Formal indictment by grand jury 30‑60 days
Initial court appearance Already occurred or imminent
Bond hearing (if requested) Next 1‑2 weeks
Preliminary hearing 3‑6 months
Trial (if no plea) 2027 or later

Kotsonis remains held without bond. If bond is later granted, it would likely be substantial (e.g., $250,000 or more) with GPS monitoring.

The pending charges against the unnamed passenger will be announced once the investigation is complete.

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Part 9: How to Help – Supporting the Cornett Family

Those wishing to honor Toby Cornett and support his daughters can:

· Donate to the official “TJ Cornett Memorial Fund” at any Bank of Tennessee branch.
· Contribute via GoFundMe (search “Justice for TJ Cornett”).
· Attend the funeral – details will be released by the family via Morris‑Baker Funeral Home.
· Donate to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) in Toby’s name.
· Volunteer with the Johnson City Youth Center, where Toby taught auto repair.

The family has requested that instead of flowers, well‑wishers make a donation to a children’s grief counseling program.

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Part 10: Conclusion – A Life Cut Short, A Legacy That Endures

Toby “TJ” Cornett was a mechanic, a father, a partner, and a friend. He was the kind of person who made the world better simply by being in it – fixing cars for those who couldn’t afford it, reading bedtime stories in silly voices, and showing up at 2 a.m. to help a stranded friend.

On a Saturday morning just after 1:30 a.m., his life was taken by a driver who now faces charges of vehicular homicide and DUI. Three others were injured. A community is grieving. Two little girls are asking where their daddy went.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol continues to investigate. Steven Kotsonis sits in a jail cell. And pending charges may yet bring another person to justice.

But for those who loved him, Toby Cornett is not just a name in a crash report. He is the smell of motor oil and laughter. He is the sound of a fishing line casting into the Watauga River. He is a father’s love, frozen in time.

Rest in peace, Toby “TJ” Cornett. You are loved. You are missed. You will not be forgotten.