Kentucky man charged with DUI in ATV crash that killed his 7-year-old nephew
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- Kentucky man charged after ATV crash killed his 7-year-old nephew.
- Police say suspect admitted drinking and failed multiple sobriety tests.
- Crash occurred in restricted area marked with multiple 'no ATV' signs.
A Kentucky man is accused of driving an all-terrain vehicle while drunk, causing a crash that killed his 7-year-old nephew, according to Kentucky State Police and court documents.
The crash happened Saturday around 10:50 p.m. near River Street in Lewis County, about 90 miles southeast of Cincinnati. State police said 39-year-old Adam Thacker, of Vanceburg, drove off the road and flipped an ATV.
Thacker’s nephew was ejected from the ATV and suffered serious injuries. He was taken to Meadow View Hospital and later pronounced dead by medical staff, police said.
Police interviewed Thacker after the crash, and he admitted to drinking five to six beers and Fireball Cinnamon Whisky over five hours, according to court documents. The officer saw six empty beer cans and three small bottles of Fireball at the scene of the crash.
Thacker told police he was a two or three on a scale of 1 to 10 in terms of how intoxicated he was, according to court documents. Thacker added he was at a six when he drank 12 beers the week prior.
He also told police he was driving between 25 and 30 mph when the wreck happened, according to court documents. There were multiple “no ATV” signs in the area of the crash.
Thacker failed multiple field sobriety tests at the scene, according to court documents. He consented to a blood test at the hospital.
Thacker was charged with vehicular homicide while under the influence of alcohol, DUI and second-degree criminal trespassing. State police are investigating the crash.
