Officer Jason McGriff's employment with the Murfreesboro Police Department was terminated on Wednesday (2/7/2018) by Murfreesboro Police Chief Michael Bowen. In fact, the 25-year old former police officer was arrested the day before he was fired, as the result of a Tennessee Highway Patrol investigation. Jason McGriff turned himself in to the Rutherford County Sheriffs Office and was released on $5,000 bond (2/6/2018).

The administrative action followed review of the "facts and circumstances" related to a fatal crash in which McGriff was involved while off-duty on June 4, 2017.

Reports indicate that a witness told the trooper investigating the fatal crash, he was driving on I-24 beside a black pickup truck when he saw the stopped traffic ahead. That driver started braking his car, but said the pickup continued to travel at interstate speeds and did not appear to slow.

McGriff's pickup truck slammed into the rear of the stopped traffic on I-24.

Four family members were in the car hit by the officer's pickup truck. They were returning home from a vacation. Shane Nigro and his wife Robbie were in the front seat. In the back was an aunt, Linda Goins, along with Shane's mother, Dianne. All were rushed to the hospital, but Dianne Nigro died as a result of the crash.

The woman killed had a history of helping others. Mrs. Nigro had been a foster mother to over 30 girls over her lifetime. She was a resident of California and was here in Tennessee for a vacation with her son and his family.

Officer McGriff joined Murfreesboro Police about 10-months ago (April 17, 2017), and was on a 12-month probationary period.

Again, Murfreesboro Police Chief Michael Bowen terminated Officer Jason McGriff on Wednesday. The department is unable to release more information about the firing until the state's investigation is completed. NewsRadio WGNS will keep you informed.