Thomas Byrd, a Memphis Real Estate Agent and Broker, Passed Away in a Car Accident on June 1
Thomas Byrd, a Memphis real estate agent and broker, tragically passed away in a car accident on June 1. His tragic passing has sent shockwaves through the community; many will miss his dedication and expertise in real estate brokerage work.
His family will announce the details of his obituary and funeral arrangements later so that members of his community and friends may pay their respects.
What Caused the Accident?
Thomas Byrd was a well-recognized real estate agent and broker in Memphis, Tennessee, who passed away unexpectedly as the result of injuries suffered in a car accident. As owner of Byrd Realty Services, he was deeply lamented by his death, which has deeply saddened the community he served. Funeral arrangements will be released later so his friends and colleagues may pay their respects in person.
No one knows precisely what caused a fatal car accident in Boston on Tuesday evening, but police suspect a seizure led the driver to lose control of her vehicle and strike out at pedestrians outside a funeral home, killing one and injuring others before fleeing from the scene and being charged with leaving a crash involving death and grand theft auto – both felonies.
LaShara Quinn, Thomas’s colleague and friend, recalls him as friendly and outgoing – always ready to assist others and bring light and laughter into any room he enters. LaShara says Thomas will be missed but knows his legacy will live on through many people who knew him well.
Why Was Thomas Byrd Driving Recklessly?
Thomas Byrd was a well-recognized real estate broker and agent in Memphis who owned and operated Byrd Realty Services. His untimely death left a deep, impactful scar on those closest to him; authorities believe the cause was due to a car accident.
On Thursday evening, Byrd drove his pickup truck into Dhimitri Andoni, 22, who had come to help. Unfortunately, Andoni died at the scene; this event has drawn widespread condemnation and support from people online; many have shared their sorrow over social media platforms.
Police believe Byrd was driving recklessly when he hit Andoni and was charged with DUI as well.
At about 11:30 p.m. Thursday at 20 Maplewood Terrace in Albany, a crash occurred between Bryan Byrd and his former partner’s ex-partner, who reported that Byrd had broken things in her house and been violent with both her and their 14-month-old son – leading her to call police to report that Byrd threatened them both with guns, authorities said.
Byrd was arrested for DUI despite his denials of drinking or distracted driving at the time of the crash and faces up to six months of jail time if convicted of this charge.
Witness testimony indicated that she witnessed Byrd speeding before colliding with Andoni’s vehicle and swerving to avoid hitting other cars on the road. Additionally, she told police she saw him shift to avoid striking another vehicle on the road.
One witness testified that Byrd was driving 81 miles per hour when he lost control of his truck and went over the speed limit on a busy street with schools and businesses near his residence. Under cross-examination by defense lawyer John Murdoch, Byrd’s pickup was not traveling 81 mph when it started skidding off course.
Friends and family of Thomas Byrd have expressed their shock and outrage over his death, creating a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for his children, which has already raised over $100,000 as of this writing. They have also released a video tribute.
What Happened After the Accident?
At the time of the accident, there was no indication of drug or alcohol use within the vehicle. Instead, it appears the driver suffered a seizure, which led to her losing control of it and colliding with the young girl, three years old at the time. She survived the initial impact but succumbed later due to severe injuries suffered in the hospital from significant trauma sustained. Both her mother and grandmother were injured as a result.
LaShara Quinn, Thomas Byrd’s friend, describes him as someone who could make anyone laugh and feel welcome. His positive energy was infectious, and his death has left a gaping hole in many hearts who knew and loved him.
The family asks for privacy during this challenging period and would appreciate all prayers and thoughts being sent.
