The Breckinridge County Sheriff steeped in controversy after having a DUI wreck that injured a Leitchfield woman in March 2019 is resigning his position.
Sheriff Todd Pate told WXBC.com that he will retire as sheriff effective midnight Saturday, February 29. Pate declined to comment on his retirement until he consults with his legal team.
Pate’s March 2019 arrest was his second arrest for DUI following his October 2015 arrest for driving under the influence in Bowling Green.
In the latest incident, an intoxicated Pate was jailed on March 8, 2019, after crashing his 2018 Chevrolet truck into a 2007 Mercury Grand Marquis, being driven by Jill Lanning, of Leitchfield, in the 9400 block of Hwy 259, near McDaniels.
Lanning was transported to Breckinridge County Memorial Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries and later released.
Pate was arrested on suspicion of DUI (aggravating circumstances) by Kentucky State Trooper Joey Beasley and lodged in the Hardin County Detention Center. He entered an alcohol rehab center in Tennessee almost immediately after being released from the detention center.
In April 2019, Pate was indicted by a Breckinridge County Grand Jury on four counts of first-degree wanton endangerment, tampering with physical evidence (for attempting to hide beer after the crash) and DUI. In October 2019, a superseding indictment was handed down for assault and criminal mischief. In the same October indictment, he was re-indicted on the four wanton endangerment counts as well as DUI.
Pate’s next court appearance is scheduled for March.
Breckinridge County Judge-Executive Maurice Lucas told WXBC.com that after Pate’s retirement takes effect, he will appoint an interim sheriff until a special election is held in November.
(Photo courtesy of WAVE3.com)
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
