COLUMBIA, Ky. (LEX 18) — One juvenile is dead and two other individuals, including another juvenile, following a vehicle collision in Adair County Saturday afternoon.
According to Kentucky State Police, the collision took place on the KY 55 Bypass near the intersection of Pelham Branch Road around 4 p.m CST.
An investigation revealed that 46-year-old Joel Hammack was traveling south at a high rate of speed when his vehicle collided with that of 62-year-old Townya Ritzie, where it was then forced off the roadway and overturned.
A juvenile passenger was pronounced dead on the scene of the collision. Two other passengers, 66-year-old Susan Morgan and another juvenile, were transported to a hospital with serious injuries.
Ritzie and another passenger were transported to be treated for minor injuries.
Hammack was arrested and charged with: vehicular homicide under the influence of alcohol, DUI, fourth offense or greater, and three counts of first and second degree assault.
A passenger in Hammack's vehicle, 45-year-old Walter Nichols, "was unruly as (first responders) attempted to aid those involved."
He was also arrested and charged with: third degree assault (EMS, fire, rescue squad), fourth degree assault (minor injury), third degree terroristic threatening, second degree disorderly conduct and alchol intoxication in a public place.
Both Hammack and Nichols are housed in the Adair County Detention Center.
The collision remains under investigation.
