Brade
North Carolina officials have set a $5 million bond for NATHANE BLACKMON, 42, a serial offender charged in a fatal impaired driving crash that claimed the life of a beloved school teacher and left her adopted son, who has Down syndrome, injured. The incident occurred in January, resulting in the death of DAWN TUCKER, 67, and injuries to her 34-year-old son, JOEY TUCKER.
Dawn Tucker, a devoted mother and advocate, welcomed Joey into her life as a foster parent when he was just 20 months old. She later adopted him, becoming his unwavering supporter and fiercest advocate. Her obituary describes her as a woman with an indomitable spirit and a compassionate heart, deeply committed to causes she believed in. She was unafraid to protest when necessary and steadfast in her advocacy for those who are often ignored or silenced. Her dedication to making the world a better, kinder, and safer place touched countless lives as a teacher, friend, and family member.
Nathane Blackmon faces multiple charges, including felony death by vehicle, felony serious injury by vehicle, felony drug possession, and simple drug possession. His criminal history spans over two decades, with his first charge dating back to a 2001 larceny case. Over the years, he has been charged with dozens of crimes, including assault on a female, resisting a public officer, breaking and entering, shoplifting, kidnapping, and assault with a deadly weapon against a government official. Despite pleading guilty to many of these charges, he consistently returned to his community—and to his car, which he was not supposed to be driving.
Retired Durham Police Department homicide detective TERRY MIKELS expressed frustration with the repetitive cycle of repeat offenders. “These officers put their lives on the line every day to make the community safe for everybody,” Mikels told Fox News Digital. “They have to show probable cause multiple times, yet offenders often go right back on probation, even if found guilty. At what point do we say enough’s enough?”
The Durham Police Department, like many others across the country, is grappling with significant staffing shortages, further complicating efforts to address repeat offenders. “It becomes very frustrating to officers when they’re dealing with the same individuals over and over,” Mikels added.
The Durham District Attorney’s Office has not yet responded to inquiries from Fox News Digital. Nathane Blackmon‘s public defender, MONICA BURNETTE, could not be reached for comment.
[Source: Fox News Digital](https://www.foxnews.com)
