BARDSTOWN, Ky. (LEX 18) — One person has been charged after a crash that took place on Friday on the Bluegrass Parkway that left one dead and another injured, according to the Kentucky State Police.
A release from KSP states they responded to the crash around 11 p.m. at the 13-mile marker on the parkway after the Nelson County dispatch requested KSP to investigate a crash involving a vehicle and a pedestrian.
A preliminary investigation revealed that 20-year-old Nelson Pacheco, Jr from Cicero, Illinois, was changing a tire on a car stopped in the westbound emergency lane on Bluegrass Parkway while 20-year-old Amari Mays-Clark from Frankfort was standing near the driver's side bumper. A Jeep Grand Cherokee then reportedly crossed the fog line, striking Mays-Clark and Pacheco, and continued driving.
Mays-Clark was pronounced dead at the scene by the Nelson County Coroner, and Pacheco was taken to Baptist Health Hardin with reported non-life-threatening injuries, KSP says.
KSP says that "several" hours later, the driver of the Jeep, 48-year-old Jason T. Hamilton from Rineyville, turned himself in and was charged with "Vehicular Homicide When Under the Influence of Alcohol, Leaving the Scene of an Accident-Failure to Render Aid or Assistance and Assault, 4th Degree (Minor Injury)." Hamilton was taken to the Nelson County Detention Center and given a $500,000 bond.
Franklin County High School football coach Eddie James is still having trouble processing the news that one of his former standout players is gone.
"It's just one of those things, there's no rhyme or reason to it. It's, it's just that a tragedy and there's so many people that are affected by it, not just him and, and the person that did its family it's one of those things that's gonna have a lasting impact and it's changed a lot of people's lives," James said.
James continued saying, “We've really tried as a program to just rally around the family and make sure they have what they need in their time of need and a lot of people say we're family this that and the other but here within our football program we try to live it and walk it. You hate to have to do it, but we're gonna stand behind that and make sure that they're taken care of."
Coach James says Amari was a bright light on and off the football field - with a joyful spirit, despite dealing with the adversity of a torn ACL during his junior year.
"The one thing about him was just the smile. He always had a smile even as he was struggling through the rehab, having a bad day at school, and like he popped in my wife's room all the time just to smile, hey, what's up and um just a good kid," James stated.
Coach James says Amari's mom and two brothers were a close-knit family, and he can't imagine the pain and shock they are feeling.
"Just keep his mom in your prayers. I know she she stood up at church yesterday and and forgave the driver and and spoke to her church and and that's powerful in and of itself," James added.
James says Amari had recently interviewed for a full-time job and was just beginning to live his life.... one that was cut short in just moments on the side of the Bluegrass Parkway.
"Just remembering that life's precious and and you know comparing our tough days to something like this just making sure that you know we keep on and live with that spirit that Amari would have wanted," James concluded.
The family of Amari Mays-Clark has set up a GoFundMe, which can be found here.
