Impairment, inexperience labeled as main causes in fatal Lexington motorcycle crash
A Lexington police officer was not at fault in a motorcycle crash that left an 18-year-old woman dead earlier this year despite prior concerns from a witness, according to an investigation conducted by the Lexington Police Department.
Jillian Pendergrass, a 2022 graduate of Lafayette High School, died at a hospital from multiple blunt force injuries shortly after the wreck. Police determined impairment and inexperience on a motorcycle were to blame for the crash. The crash happened in May and the investigation into the crash closed July 10, according to police.
A toxicology report done by the Fayette County Coroner’s Office found THC in the victim’s system at the time of the crash, which was the only intoxicant identified, according to documents from the police investigation that were obtained by the Herald-Leader this week through the Kentucky Open Records Act.
Pendergrass also showed signs of inexperience operating a motorcycle and did not have a motorcycle-endorsed license.
The collision reconstruction investigator said Pendergrass was driving a Kawasaki Ninja motorcycle on Man O’ War Boulevard just past Armstrong Mill Road when she lost control of the bike and hit a light pole.
An officer witnessed the wreck while out on patrol, police previously said. The officer filed a report about the wreck, writing that Pendergrass “seemed to struggle on her takeoff and almost lost balance” when the light turned green, which made the officer believe she was inexperienced.
The officer said Pendergrass dipped her bike towards the edge of the road, which led to her hitting the curb and being ejected from the motorcycle. There was a 47-foot skid mark found on the road prior to the curb where Pendergrass was ejected, according to police’s investigation
Helmet camera footage from one of the other two riders with Pendergrass showed her locking her rear brake, which caused the skid into the curb, according to police’s investigation.
A witness previously alleged the officer played a role in the crash, but the investigation found no wrongdoing on the officer’s part.
“During the investigation, it was determined that no officer was at fault or caused the collision,” said Hannah Sloan, a spokesperson for the Lexington Police Department.
Traffic camera footage at the intersection of Man O’ War Boulevard and Armstrong Mill Road showed Pendergrass and the two other motorcyclists pull up to a red light at the intersection. The light turned green shortly afterward, and the two other motorcyclists rode up ahead of Pendergrass before she was able to gain control of the motorcycle and rejoin the group.
The officer was multiple car lengths behind the trio as they left the intersection. Approximately 10 seconds later, the light pole that Pendergrass hit went dark and the officer turned on the lights on his car.
It was estimated that Pendergrass was traveling roughly 70 MPH at the time of the crash, according to police’s investigation. The speed limit was 45 MPH.
Weather was not determined to be a factor in the crash, according to police’s investigation.
Pendergrass was wearing a helmet and motorcycle jacket, according to police’s investigation.
Crash victim ‘saw the beauty in the world’
Pendergrass was a Lafayette High School graduate, where she’d performed in marching band, according to her obituary. She also danced competitively.
“Jillian always saw the beauty in the world and brought a smile to all those whom she encountered,” her obituary says.
At the time of her death, Pendergrass’ family asked that memorial donations be directed to the Lexington Humane Society.
This story was originally published July 26, 2023 at 7:30 AM.
