One Man Airlifted with Serious Injuries After Thursday Night Explosion

December 3, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

An explosion at a workshop on Kimberly Lane Thursday night seriously injured one man and left neighbors all shook up.

33-year-old Jerred Boyer of North Mountain Street told Smithville Police that while working in the shop “an acetylene torch (tank) blew up right next to him”.

“As I arrived on the scene, I noticed a male subject (Boyer) laying on the ground,” said Patrolman Cody Jenkins in his incident report. “EMS was on the scene to take care of Mr. Boyer”. He was later airlifted from near the scene and flown by Life Flight helicopter ambulance to Vanderbilt Hospital

Another man in the shop, 53-year-old Kenny Heinrich of Crest lawn Avenue received minor injuries. “Mr. Heinrich stated that when the torch blew it went past his head causing him hearing problems. He refused to go to the hospital,” said Officer Jenkins.

Neighbors reported hearing the blast and some said it shook their homes. The explosion caused some damage to the shop building including the ceiling.

The Smithville Fire Department was also on the scene.

December 3, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

All angels and gifts for the 27th annual Angel Tree Project must be returned by today (Friday, December 3). As of Thursday, about 70 angels were left and they were moved to Wilson Bank & Trust.

Spokesperson Laura Stone is grateful for your support of this year’s Angel Tree Project to help make this holiday season merrier for 298 children from 144 families. “This program would not be a success without the continued support of our community pulling together and making Christmas special for these children,” said Stone

December 2, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

A 26-year-old Smithville man charged with the rape of a child was sentenced in DeKalb County Criminal Court on Thursday, December 2.

Ruben Alavez Mejia, indicted for aggravated rape of a child, entered a plea to rape and received a sentence of 12 years to serve. He will be listed on the violent sex offender registry and under community supervision for life. Mejia has been given jail credit of 1,090 days.

Mejia was arrested on Thursday, December 6, 2018 at 703 Snow Street by Smithville Police. He was accused of having sex with a 12 year old girl on several occasions from the time she was 11 years old.