16-year-old Jennifer Eileen Duke and her 18-year-old friend were murdered in 2003 by Tennessee repeat drunk driver 

Derrick Darnell Hudson.

On September 20, 2003, Hudson, a repeat DUI offender, was driving drunk at an estimated speed of over 100 miles per hour when he swerved onto the right shoulder of Interstate 40 to pass two-lane traffic. Hudson was operating his vehicle with "Special Limited Insurance" because he was a repeat offender and had recently been arrested for DUI. His insurance coverage was the minimum permissible amount. However, he was once again driving under the influence while enjoying himself.

The collision between Hudson and the stationary Chevrolet Silverado Truck, which was positioned well off the shoulder, caused the bed of the truck to crash through the rear window into the cab. Jennifer, her father, and two friends were trapped inside the extended cab vehicle when it crashed into a wooded area and landed on its roof. The 18-year-old girlfriend of Jennifer was fatally ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene. Jennifer was transported to the Trauma Unit at Vanderbilt Hospital with a fractured neck and severe internal injuries. Jennifer survived her injuries for twenty days before passing away on October 9. During Jennifer's 20-day decline, her family had to explain to a 16-year-old that she would die and never grow up. The injuries sustained by Derrick Hudson and the prostitute he was traveling with were minor.

Derrick Hudson pled guilty to two counts of vehicular homicide and was sentenced to two concurrent 7-year terms as opposed to consecutive terms. Hudson never admitted guilt to the families of the victims nor accepted responsibility for his actions. He lied to the parole board about his arrest history in other states. It was estimated that he collided with the victim's truck at over 100 mph, despite his claim that he did so at approximately 55 mph. His vehicle contained both empty and partially full liquor/beer bottles. His church supported him, calling him "God's instrument," but the blood of two beautiful, innocent teenagers who died needlessly is on his hands. Hudson described the murders as "an accident." It is not an accident when a person consumes alcohol to the point of intoxication, invites a prostitute into the car, drives over 100 mph, and attempts to pass two lanes of traffic on the right shoulder after consuming excessive amounts of alcohol. It was not a question of IF Derrick Hudson would murder someone. It was only a question of WHEN and WHO. In this instance, he murdered Jennifer Duke and her 18-year-old friend, forever altering the lives of two families. He refused to accept reason and reveal what actually transpired that night. His refusal to tell the truth demonstrates that he remains a threat and could kill again when released.

Derrick was released from prison more than two years early for "good behavior." He must have been a model prisoner, as he collected his bible class tickets. Nearing the end of his incarceration, the state permitted him to leave prison daily to attend the job they had found for him in the community. When he was released, he had a good job and was provided with transportation. Subsequently, two adolescent girls were buried in the ground with their grieving families still suffering till this day. Sound reasonable?

Hudson is currently 55 years old (as of 2022). I would be very interested in knowing how many DUI’s Derrick Darnell Hudson has racked up since 2008.  I realize, maybe none?  However, I doubt if that leopard changed his spots. If you or your children drive in Antioch, Tennessee, be careful, and please warn them to be extra careful on the highways.  You never know who is going to come flying up behind you at uncontrollable, break-neck speeds.