Published: May 06, 2008 12:09 pm         

Grand Jury indicts driver in fatal KY 92 accident

Lawson suspected of being under the influence

WHITLEY CITY — The fatal collision which killed 63-year-old Lenville Duncan back in January has resulted in a manslaughter indictment for the other driver.

James Terry Lawson, 43, of Verona, KY, has been charged with second-degree manslaughter and first-degree criminal mischief for his role in the January 8 wreck on KY 92. The indictment indicates that Lawson was driving under the influence — causing Duncan’s death and more than $1,000 in damage to Duncan’s 1997 Dodge Intrepid.

At the time, Kentucky State Police suspected drug involvement as a factor in the crash. Accident reconstructionist Trooper Craig Reed determined that Lawson’s 2004 Ford Ranger crossed the centerline into the eastbound lane and struck Duncan’s vehicle.

Duncan, who had just moved to the Bethel community upon his retirement as a printer in Ohio, died at the scene of the two-vehicle accident, which occurred near A&M Grocery and Poplar Ford Road.

McCreary County Grand Jury also returned indictments last month against the following individuals:



• Ryan Clark, 32, Oneida; and Lora Jeffers, 24, Winfield — each are charged with first-degree Possession of a Controlled Substance (methamphetamine). On April 8, Kentucky Vehicle Enforcement Officer Dwight Sutton found them in possession of methamphetamine at the McCreary County Jail. Clark’s second PSC offense, the defendant is also charged with Giving a Peace officer a False Name or Address, and second-degree Persistent Felony Offender — having been convicted of Forgery in Tennessee in 2005. Jeffers is also charged with first-degree Promoting Contraband.

• Arvil J. Phillips, 41, Pine Knot — first-degree Possession of a Controlled Substance. McCreary County Deputy Sheriff Ryan Hughes found Phillips with a quantity of Oxycodone on January 6.

• Carla Cook, 51, Somerset — first-degree Possession of a Controlled Substance. Dep. Hughes found Cook with Oxycodone on February 17.

• Charles Pryor, 47 — Receiving Stolen Property Over $300. On March 24, Pryor was found in possession of a 2007 Specroketa Go Cart stolen from Shane and Brenda Stapp.

• Adam “Rug” Hill, 27 — Receiving Stolen Property of a value of $300 or more. On February 18, Hill was found in possession of three air conditioners which had been stolen from Rick Hensley.

• Daniel Taylor, 31 — Failure to Make Required Disposition of Property Over $300. On April 1, Taylor sold to Glen Gilreath a coat, pants and boots belonging to Eagle Sawyer Volunteer Fire Department.

• Michael D. Phillips, 28, Oneida — Failure to Comply with Sex Offender Registration. Phillips was arrested by Dep. David Sampson on March 8.

• Gary Rollins, 48, Parkers Lake — first-degree Bail Jumping. On February 5, Rollins failed to appear for sentencing in McCreary Circuit Court.

• Christopher G. Lewis, 27, London — first-degree Bail Jumping and second-degree Persistent Felony Offender. On December 17, Lewis failed to appear in McCreary Circuit Court for sentencing. He has previously been convicted of Cultivation of Marijuana, 5 or More Plants First Offense, in 2003 in Laurel Circuit Court.

• Robert Beach, 39, Somerset — first-degree Bail Jumping and first-degree Persistent Felony Offender. On February 18, Beach failed to appear in McCreary Circuit Court for sentencing. He has previously been convicted in Pulaski County for Receiving Stolen Property, second-degree Escape and Receiving Stolen Property (firearm).

The grand jury also returned a misdemeanor count of second-degree Wanton Endangerment against Richard Clouse, 46, Pine Knot. Kentucky State Police Trooper David Craig Reed presented the case involving a February 18 incident in which Clouse forced the vehicle Reed and his wife Jennifer were traveling in off the road.

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Readers are reminded that an indictment is a charge and should not be considered as evidence of an individual’s guilt. Anyone under indictment is presumed innocent until and unless convicted in a court of law.

     

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