Tractor-trailer driver from Chicago charged in fatal Kentucky DUI crash
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- Truck driver from Chicago charged with vehicular homicide after fatal DUI crash.
- Investigation found positive saliva test for cannabis, paraphernalia in cab.
- Driver held without bond facing multiple charges and pending blood test results.
A tractor-trailer driver from Chicago has been charged after police say he was under the influence of marijuana when he caused a fatal crash in Kentucky.
The crash happened Saturday night in the 4800 block of Fort Campbell Boulevard in Hopkinsville. Kentucky State police said Gerasimos Livieratos, 36, was traveling south and tried to make an U-turn into the northbound lanes.
During the turn, Bernice Franklin, 33, of Clarksville, Tenn., collided with the trailer. State police said he was declared dead at the scene.
Franklin’s vehicle went underneath the trailer, court documents say.
A Christian County sheriff’s deputy was behind Livieratos on Fort Campbell Boulevard when the crash happened. According to court documents, the sheriff’s office had received a complaint from another driver earlier in the evening about Livieratos driving recklessly.
Livieratos almost went off Interstate 24 multiple times and had to cut through the grass to make exit 81, according to court documents.
Livieratos took a saliva test after the collision occurred, which showed signs of cannabis, according to court documents. He also failed multiple field sobriety tests.
Marijuana and drug paraphernalia were found in a backpack in the cab of the tractor-trailer, according to court documents. Livieratos admitted the backpack was his, but he said he hadn’t consumed marijuana in six days.
A blood test was taken at a hospital, and results are pending, according to court documents.
Livieratos is charged with vehicular homicide when under the influence of drugs/substance, aggravated DUI, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, reckless driving, failure to or improper signal and improper turning, according to state police. He is being held in the Christian County Jail without a bond.
Livieratos is scheduled to be arraigned in Christian District Court Monday, according to court records.
