81-year-old pastor dies following Lexington crash on Man o’ War

An 81-year-old pastor died following a two-vehicle collision at Man o’ War Boulevard and Jocasta Drive, according to the Fayette County coroner’s office.

The crash happened about 7:45 a.m. Tuesday when a car driven by Arlester Washington hit another vehicle, police said. He was taken to University of Kentucky Chandler Hospital, where he died at 2:03 p.m., the coroner’s office said Wednesday.

Washington died from blunt-force trauma, according to the coroner.

Washington is the founder of the Anointed Central Kentucky Mass Choir and was the pastor of Now Faith Worship Center.

In a 2010 interview with the Herald-Leader, Washington said he is a Madisonville native who moved to Central Kentucky from Chicago to fulfill a dream of starting a choir that would bring the state recognition in gospel music.

Washington said of his choir, “the Lord sent me back with a vision to let the world know that there are good singers as anywhere else in Kentucky and good musicians as anywhere else.” The choir was organized in 2010.

Funeral arrangements for Washington were being planned.

This story was originally published April 10, 2019 at 8:44 AM.