Kentucky Lawyers

Two killed on Grade Lane North of Outer Loop

Finis Price — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 13:57:58 +0000

According to the Courier-Journal, two men were killed in an accident on Grade Lane just north of Outer Loop this morning. A Metro police spokesman said both men were pronounced dead at the scene of the collision when a northbound Mitsubishi Mirage crossed over the center line and struck an older model BMW.

The woman driving the Mirage was taken to University Hospital.

Anytime a car accident results in a death, it is imperative to consult with an attorney as soon as possible to preserve evidence and to ensure your rights are protected. This information is provided by Louisville, Kentucky attorney Finis Price. Please feel free to contact me directly for if you have any questions or would like more information.

“Morgan woman charged with murder after fatal crash”

Michael Stevens — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 22:30:36 +0000

Kentucky drivers are liable for the injuries they negligently or recklessly cause through the operation of their vehicle. In cases of gross negligence or reckless behavior the driver can even face punitive damages.

The following story posted at the Herald Leader reveals the potential interrelationship between civil liability and criminal liability for a car accident.

On May 31, 2010, a Morgan County car accident resulted in the death of Gerry Blackwell and injuries to a passenger in Gerry’s vehicle, Terry Blackwell. According to reports from the Kentucky State Police, Brittany Williams crossed the center line and struck the Blackwell’s vehicle. Gerry Blackwell was pronounced dead at the scene. Williams was driving her car while under the influence of drugs which has resulted in the murder charges in Blackwell’s death.

Although there is absolutely no amount of money that will compensate a family for the loss of a loved one who is killed as a result of the negligence of another, the criminal and civil justice systems do provide remedies. If the allegations against Williams are true, then she will probably face civil liability for the death of Gerry Blackwell in addition to the criminal charges of murder.

Potential claims would include wrongful death plus punitive damages for gross negligence in driving under the influence of drugs.

From the Herald Leader:

Morgan woman charged with murder after fatal crash

A Morgan County woman has been charged with murder after a fatal traffic crash last month.

Brittany D. Williams, 23, of West Liberty was driving a 1998 Chevrolet Lumina south on Ky. 7 about 9 p.m. on May 31, when her car crossed the center line and struck a 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier.

The driver of the Cavalier, Gerry N. Blackwell, 76, of West Liberty, died, and her passenger, Terry Blackwell, 59, was taken to University of Kentucky Hospital with injuries. Williams also was injured and treated at UK Hospital.

Kentucky State Police Det. Toby Gardner said in court documents that Williams was driving under the influence of drugs, which led to the murder charge.

Williams was arrested Sunday, state police said, and she was being held Monday at the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center.

Three People Injured in Lee County School Bus Crash

Finis Price — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 15:23:27 +0000

Three people were injured when a school bus and a truck collided in Lee County. The accident happened Tuesday afternoon. According to the Lee County Sheriff’s Department, the truck was traveling on Kentucky highway 52 when the bus pulled out in front of it. The bus was from the Middle Kentucky River Area Development Council. The sheriff’s department said two young men on the bus and one person in the truck were sent to the hospital.

Any time students are involved in a motor vehicle collision in a school bus there is cause for concern. Many issues arise outside of the normal questions that need to be asked in a normal car accident. Was the school bus driver properly trained? Was the school bus in proper working order? Is there any fault on the part of the school bus driver for causing the collision or becoming distracted? Are there any potential product defects with the school bus? Who will pay for the injured passenger’s medical bills?

These are but a few of the questions which need to be answered and considered in cases such as this incident in Lee County – and this is why anyone injured in such a collision needs an experienced attorney on their side.

A 4-Year Old Boy Run Over and Killed by Lawn Roller

Finis Price — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 15:16:05 +0000

A 4-year-old Indiana boy is dead after being run over by a 3,200-pound lawn roller. Kevin Eugene Bontrager was playing outside at the family home in Topeka, Indiana April 7 when he ran behind the roller as his father backed up. LaGrange County Dispatch received an emergency call about the incident around 5:05pm. EMS responded minutes later but the boy’s injuries were too severe. LaGrange County Sheriff’s is investigating the incident.

There have been a string of heavy equipment injuries recently due to the Spring season approaching. Obviously, some of these injuries can be avoided by proper safety precautions and training, however some cannot be avoided to do product design and defect. As the country is discovering with the Toyota Recall, often times companies find it in their financial best interests to ignore or hide defects in order to ensure financial success of a product. When this occurs, serious liability results due to the manufacturer’s or designer’s knowledge of the danger and failure to rectify the hazard.

New Castle Man Drives Wrong Way on I-70 Striking Three Vehicles

Finis Price — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 14:49:44 +0000

A New Castle man faces numerous charges in connection with a wrong-way collision on Interstate 70. The Wayne County Dispatch broadcast a report of a pickup eastbound in the westbound lanes of I-70 around the 149-mile marker exit Thursday night. Shortly after 10:50 p.m., officers received a report of a collision at the 148-mile marker.

Indiana State Police trooper Andy Wandersee arrived along with Wayne County deputies to find the driver of a red Ford Ranger had fled the scene. The pickup, heading the wrong direction, had struck two vehicles nearly head-on with the debris damaging a third vehicle, a tractor-trailer, police said.

The driver of the pickup was located a short time later, hiding behind the Indiana State Police Scale House at the 148-mile marker westbound. Arrested was Archie Napier, 42, of New Castle.

He and a second driver, whose identity was not available from police, were taken to Reid Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Napier was treated and released from Reid before being booked into the Wayne County Jail at about 4:45 a.m. Friday.

Napier is charged with leaving the scene of an accident causing serious bodily injury, a Class D felony; operating while intoxicated causing serious bodily injury, a Class D felony; operating while intoxicated with a blood-alcohol content of .15 percent or higher, a Class A misdemeanor; reckless driving, a Class B misdemeanor; and operating while intoxicated, a Class C misdemeanor.

Guthrie Man Killed by DUI Driver

Finis Price — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 14:45:48 +0000

A 77-year-old Guthrie man was killed in Guthrie Thursday night, after a man, who police believe was drunk, hit the tractor he was driving then fled. According to a news release from Kentucky State Trooper Stu Recke, at about 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Samuel Swarey was driving his farm tracker north on Railroad Lane and was attempting to turn into a field. A 1992 Oldsmobile driven by David L. Warfield, 46, was also traveling north on Railroad Lane and collided with the tractor, the release said.

Following the wreck, Warfield continued to drive and was found a short time later by Guthrie Police, the report said. Swarey was taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center were he died from his injuries, the release said. Warfied was charged with leaving the scene of an accident/failure to render aid or assistance, operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol/drugs 1st offense aggravating circumstances, driving DUI suspended license 2nd offense aggravating circumstance and no insurance.

Pedestrian Struck and Killed on U.S. 60 in Bath County by Morehead Driver

Finis Price — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 14:41:11 +0000

Kentucky State Police say a driver didn’t see a pedestrian until it was too late. Police say a female driver from Morehead was driving east on U.S. 60 in Bath County when her car hit a man walking in the road late Sunday night. The victim, who has been identified as Todd Wages, 38, of Salt Lick, died from his injuries.

Though police are investigating the collision, it is imperative to hire an attorney quickly who can have an experienced accident reconstructionist secure critical evidence which may become invaluable in the future.

Child Killed When ATV Rolls Over

Finis Price — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 14:36:38 +0000

An all-terrain-vehicle incident April 3 claimed the life of a 12-year-old Cincinnati boy, according to an Indiana Department of Natural Resources press release. Emergency personnel responded to Haspin Acres Off-Road and Motocross Park, Laurel, shortly before 4 p.m. “Jared Douglas was found in a ravine with the ATV on top of him by family members. The youth had left the campsite on an ATV to get some firewood. When failing to return in a timely manner, the family began their search,” reported Indiana Conservation Officer William Browne. “The youth suffered major head trauma and was pronounced dead at the scene by the coroner,” Browne revealed. The incident is still under investigation by Indiana Conservation Officers and Franklin County Sheriff’s Department officers. Laurel firefighters and EMS members also responded to the scene.

Rear-End Collision Causes Three Car Accident on Highway 62 in McCracken County

Finis Price — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 14:33:40 +0000

A three vehicle accident Thursday afternoon backed up traffic on Highway 62 for about 20 minutes. The McCracken County Sheriff’s Department said the accident occurred at around 4:34 pm on Blandville Road near the Information Age Park when 57-year-old Suzanne Yarboro of Arlington, KY rear ended a car driven by 37-year-old Teri Wentworth of Paducah, who then rearended a truck driven by Paul Housholder of Paducah. All of the drivers refused treatment and transport by ambulance. Yarboro’s and Wentworth’s vehicles were towed from the scene.

A New Castle Man Strikes Two Vehicles and Flees Scene on I-70 in Wayne County

Finis Price — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 14:26:46 +0000

A New Castle man faces numerous charges in connection with a wrong-way collision late Thursday on Interstate 70. Just before 10:50 p.m. Thursday, Wayne County Dispatch put out a report of a pickup eastbound in the westbound lanes of Interstate 70 around the 149 mile marker exit. Shortly after 10:50 p.m., officers received a report of a collision at the 148 mile marker. Indiana State Police trooper Andy Wandersee arrived along with Wayne County deputies to find the driver of a red Ford Ranger had fled the scene. The pickup, heading the wrong direction, had struck two vehicles nearly head-on with the debris damaging a third vehicle, a semi.

The driver of the pickup was located a short time later, hiding behind the Indiana State Police Scale House at the 148 mile marker westbound. Arrested was Archie Napier, 42, of New Castle. He and a second driver were taken to Reid Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Napier is charged with Leaving the Scene of an Accident Causing Serious Bodily Injury, a Class D felony; Operating While Intoxicated Causing Serious Bodily Injury, a Class D felony; Operating While Intoxicated with a blood-alcohol content of .15 percent or higher, a Class A misdemeanor; Reckless Driving, a Class B misdemeanor, and Operating While Intoxicated, a Class C misdemeanor.