Kentucky man indicted on manslaughter charge after crash that left 24-year-old dead

A Frankfort man has been indicted on four charges, including manslaughter, after a fatal crash that happened about one year ago.

Justin Ryan Benton, a 27-year-old Frankfort resident, was indicted last week after a single-car crash in the early morning hours of April 30, 2022 that killed 24-year-old Ashley Nicole Hall, according to court records.

The crash happened at the southern split of I-64 and I-75. Hall was pronounced dead at University of Kentucky Chandler Hospital about an hour after the crash, according to the Fayette County Coroner’s Office.

Court documents show Benton was charged with second-degree manslaughter, operating a motor vehicle under the influence, operating on a suspended or revoked license and having no or expired registration plates.

Benton’s indictment says he was driving under the influence and wantonly caused Hall’s death.

Court documents say Benton’s bond was set at $7,000 last week and posted a few days later. He made his first court appearance Thursday and is expected to have a pretrial conference in August.

Fred Peters, Benton’s attorney, said it was a “tragic, unfortunate car accident” and he does not believe Benton is guilty of second degree manslaughter.

This story was originally published June 30, 2023 at 11:11 AM.