A Green County man has been charged with vehicular homicide and other felony counts following a DUI crash that killed a 28-year-old man.
Kentucky State Police said troopers responded to the crash Friday night at approximately 7:30 on West Buckner Hill Road, less than a mile west of Greensburg.
The preliminary investigation revealed that 49-year-old Larry D. Waters Jr., of Greensburg, was traveling west on West Buckner Hill Road in a 1990 Chevrolet Lumina when he swerved into the eastbound lane as he approached an eastbound 2013 Jeep Wrangler, being driven by 30-year-old Justin Smith, of Greensburg.
As Smith attempted to avoid the Lumina, he “steered onto an earth embankment,” but the two vehicles collided “in a sideswipe manner,” causing the Jeep to overturn and eject its four occupants, according to Kentucky State Police.
One passenger in Smith’s vehicle, 28-year-old Blake Mitchell, of Greensburg, was transported to University of Louisville Hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
Smith was also transported to the University of Louisville Hospital. Smith’s other passengers, 29-year-old Dustin Ray, of Greensburg, and 29-year-old Michael Boils, of Greensburg, refused medical treatment at the scene.
In addition to vehicular homicide, Waters, who also refused medical treatment, was charged with DUI, first-degree assault and two counts of first-degree wanton endangerment. He was lodged in the Taylor County Detention Center.
Vehicular homicide and first-degree assault are class B felonies, punishable by up to 20 years in prison. First-degree wanton endangerment is a class D felony, punishable by up to five years in prison.
The collision remains under investigation by Sr. Trooper Weston Sullivan.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
