A fugitive from justice is now in the White County Jail thanks to joint efforts from White County Sheriff’s Office, Tennessee Highway Patrol, and United States Marshals Service.
Patrick Hugh Flaherty had been wanted on outstanding warrants resulting from a motor vehicle accident, which resulted in the death of another driver. On Sept. 19, 2024, Flaherty was reported to have been traveling westbound near the 6300 block of Highway 70 when he crossed the center line and reportedly struck an eastbound Dodge Dakota being driven by Bridget Rice, who later died from injuries suffered in the accident. Flaherty was transported from the scene to the hospital where he was treated for injuries.
While the accident occurred last fall, it wasn’t until this spring that the case was brought before the grand jury and charges were filed against Flaherty. White County Sheriff Steve Page, along with two deputies, visited the home in which Flaherty was living at the time of the accident, but he was no longer there. According to the sheriff, a woman at the residence said Flaherty had not been there “in a couple of months” and that she did not know where he was living.
Despite the setback, law enforcement officers with White County Sheriff’s Office and Tennessee Highway Patrol, kept searching until they were able to locate the suspect. Recently, Flaherty was found living in Dallas, Texas, under the alias Marty O’Malley. U.S. Marshals were able to arrest Flaherty, on May 21, and he was transported back to White County where he will face charges of Vehicular Homicide Driver Intoxication, Vehicular Homicide by Recklessness, DUI: First Offense, and DUI: Second Offense.
“You can run, but you can’t hide,” Page said, adding his thanks to all those who were involved in apprehending Flaherty. “While it will never replace the loss the Rice family experienced, know we can at least give them some closure and the justice they deserve.”
Flaherty is being held on a $1 million dollar bond and was scheduled to appear in court at 9 a.m., May 23, at White County Justice Center.
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