LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — The driver accused of hitting and killing pedestrian Ansean Jackson pled not guilty in court on Thursday.
Parish was indicted in December by a grand jury for vehicular homicide and driving under the influence in connection to the hit and run that happened in August 2023 at the intersection of Broadway and Loudon.
It was just after 11:00 p.m. when investigators said Parish was going 45 down North Broadway as 52-year-old Jackson was trying to cross. He was not in the crosswalk or intersection.
According to a preliminary traffic collision report, Parish's blood alcohol level was .194, and he didn't stay in his lane or stop.
He continued home, where police later located him and conducted a sobriety test.
Investigators said he told them he'd come from Taco Bell and didn't know he hit anyone.
After months of waiting for this day and pleading for answers, Jackson's mother, Gwen Johnson, walked past Parish to ask Judge Julie Goodman not to let him out on bond.
"I was praying. I was praying the whole time because I didn't want to have eye contact with him," Johnson said in an interview.
Police did issue a warrant for Parish's arrest after the indictment in December, but he was never arrested.
At the request of his defense attorney, Judge Goodman determined Parish was at low risk for not appearing or reoffending.
She ruled in favor of their motion to set aside his warrant and $11,000 bond because he already has a $7,000 bond for the separate but connected DUI case.
Goodman said she had to follow the law, which Johnson understood. She said she appreciated having time to speak at the arraignment.
"The judge was really good and really nice because she herself said I have a son, you know, so she understood my pain," said Johnson.
It's not the outcome she wanted, but Johnson is headed the three hours back home with her head held high. She pleaded with prosecutors and police for answers up until the indictment.
"At least something is being done," she said.
On Thursday, she said she felt prosecutors were on her side and appreciated her victim advocate.
Johnson plans to attend every court hearing.
