Tennessee men arrested in KY after causing fatal crash that killed child, police say
A two-vehicle injury collision on a Kentucky bypass in Adair County resulted in the death of a child and the arrest of two Tennessee men.
Kentucky State Police were dispatched to an intersection near Pelham Branch Road around 4:30 p.m. Saturday. They said Joel Hammack, 46, of Crossville, Tennessee, had been traveling south on KY 55 Bypass in a 2016 Ford F-150 at a high rate of speed.
Hammack approached a 2018 Kia Sorento traveling south being driven by Townya Ritzie, 62, of Columbia. Hammock’s speeding vehicle collided with Ritzie’s SUV and forced it off the roadway, where it overturned.
A child in Ritzie’s vehicle died at the scene, according to state police. No identifying information about the child was released.
Two passengers, Susan Morgan, 66, of Columbia, and another child were transported to a hospital with serious injuries. A third child and Ritzie were transported to the hospital for treatment of minor injuries.
Hammack and a passenger in his vehicle, Walter Nichols, 45, of Bean Station, Tennessee, were treated and released.
Hammack was charged with vehicular homicide under the influence of alcohol, fourth offense or greater, first-degree assault and three counts of second-degree assault.
First responders were confronted by Nichols, who was “unruly” as they tried to help others. Nichols was charged with third-degree assault (EMS, Fire, Rescue Squad), fourth-degree assault, third-degree terroristic threatening, disorderly conduct and public intoxication.
Both men are in the Adair County Detention Center.
This story was originally published December 22, 2024 at 3:36 PM.
