KPD e-News Release: False Reporting Charges Filed in Fatal Motorcycle Crash on Union Street

Kingsport Police Department

David Quillin, Chief of Police

200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660

http://Police.KingsportTN.govwww.KingsportPDBlog.com

NEWS RELEASE
SUBJECT: False Reporting Charges Filed in Fatal Motorcycle Crash on Union Street
DATE: September 27, 2018
CASE #: 18-026900 (Crash Report)

18-027285 (Incident/Arrest Report)

GENERAL NARRATIVE
A fatal motor vehicle collision involving a motorcycle and a sport utility vehicle on Union Street at the intersection of Greenway Street in Kingsport has been under open and active investigation since the time it occurred on September 21, 2018.

As a result of that investigation, Crash Investigators from the K.P.D. Traffic Unit have been able to determine that William J. Caporiccio and Henrietta R. Weaver gave blatantly false statements to law enforcement regarding their involvement in the crash.

Ms. Weaver claimed to have been driving the sport utility vehicle, while Mr. Caporiccio claimed to have been a passenger in the vehicle. Investigators have since learned that Mr. Caporiccio was in fact driving the vehicle. Ms. Weaver was not in the vehicle whatsoever, and only responded to the scene after learning of the crash.

This ruse was apparently fabricated by the couple due to Mr. Caporiccio’s driver license being revoked. Both individuals were arrested today and charged with False Reporting which is a Class D felony. Mr. Caporiccio was additionally charged with Driving on a Revoked License and Failure to Comply with Financial Responsibility (No Insurance).

As of the time of issuance of this news release, Mr. Caporiccio and Ms. Weaver remain confined in the Kingsport City Jail, awaiting arraignment, in lieu of $4,000 and $3,500 bonds respectively.

It is important to note that the findings regarding the crash itself remain unchanged. Based upon evidence at the scene, corroborated by independent eye-witness testimony, Investigators still believe that the motorcycle was being operated at a high rate of speed, and the front wheel was off the ground as it crested the hill just prior to impact.

This crash remains under open and active investigation by the K.P.D. Traffic Unit. Accordingly, no additional information is available for release at this time.

As previously released:

On September 21, 2018 at approximately 6:15 PM, Kingsport Central Dispatch was notified of a motor vehicle collision involving a motorcycle and a sport utility vehicle on Union Street at the intersection with Greenway Street in Kingsport. Based upon the severity of the crash, the K.P.D. Traffic Unit responded to investigate. Their findings are as follows:

A white 2001 GMC Yukon (full-size S.U.V.), driven by Henrietta R. Weaver, was eastbound on Greenway Street preparing to turn left onto northbound Union Street. Meanwhile, a black Yamaha R1 (racing-style sport motorcycle), ridden by Johnny D. Berry, had turned off of West Stone Drive and was southbound on Union Street.

Just as the GMC pulled forward into the intersection, the Yamaha topped the crest of a hill and struck the driver’s side of the GMC. Mr. Berry was seriously injured in the crash and transported to Holston Valley Medical Center by Sullivan County EMS. He succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased shortly after arriving at the hospital. Neither Ms. Weaver, nor her passenger, were injured in the crash.

Based upon evidence at the scene, corroborated by independent eye-witness testimony, Investigators determined that the Yamaha was being operated at a high rate of speed, and the front wheel was off the ground as it crested the hill just prior to impact.

This crash remains under open and active investigation by the K.P.D. Traffic Unit. Accordingly, no additional information is available for release at this time.

SUSPECT #1 INFORMATION
Name William J. Caporiccio
Age Date of Birth 5/31/1989

29 Years of Age

Gender/Race Male/White
Residency 205 Tennessee Street

Kingsport, TN

Charge(s) 1) False Reporting (Class D Felony)

2) Driving on a Revoked License

3) Failure to Comply with Financial Responsibility (No Insurance)

SUSPECT #2 INFORMATION
Name Henrietta R. Weaver
Age Date of Birth 12/4/1994

23 Years of Age

Gender/Race Female/White
Residency 205 Tennessee Street

Kingsport, TN

Charge(s) 1) False Reporting (Class D Felony)

COLLISION VEHICLE #1 INFORMATION
Make GMC
Model Yukon
Year 2001
Type Full-Size Sport Utility Vehicle
Color White
Damage Functional Damage
Driver Name William J. Caporiccio
Age 29 Years of Age
Gender/Race Male/White
Residency Kingsport, TN
Injuries No Injury
COLLISION VEHICLE #2 INFORMATION
Make Yamaha
Model R1
Year 2005
Type Racing-Style Sport Motorcycle
Color Black
Damage Disabling Damage
Driver Name Johnny D. Berry
Age 26 Years of Age
Gender/Race Male/White
Residency Church Hill, TN
Injuries Fatal
RELEASING OFFICER
Thomas M. Patton, Public Information Officer

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

423-229-9433 (Desk) • 423-224-2786 (FAX)

ThomasMPatton

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