13-Year-Old Nelson County Teen Was Driving When Auto Crashed: Youth Minister Changed Story
Apparently, a Nelson County teenager was actually driving the car that was involved in a deadly auto accident on Highway 162 earlier this month. Based upon news accounts, the teenager's Youth Minister from his church allowed him to drive. Bahe Cook Cantley & Jones auto accident and wrongful death attorney Larry Jones says, "Allowing the boy to drive was negligent at best and criminal at worst. This boy's parents entrusted his care to the Youth Minister and the Church. It is a real shame that this family has lost their son because an adult made a decision that is certainly unbecoming of a Youth Minister --someone who is supposed to be a role model."
Here is the news story from WLKY.com,
The Nelson County Sheriff's Department has reopened an investigation into a fatal accident involving a 13-year-old.
Jamie Mitchell died earlier this month after the driver of the car he was in lost control and ran off of Highway 162.
Police originally believed the teen's youth minister from Big Spring Assembly of God Church was the driver. According to a police report, 24-year-old Derek Coulter admitted he allowed the 13-year-old to drive and that the teen was behind the wheel when the accident happened.
“I thought I left my son in good hands. And, I got the phone call, and nobody would tell me what was going on,” said Mitchell’s mother, Rebecca Coleman.
Mitchell's family members said Coulter spoke at the funeral about how he lost control of the vehicle.
Coulter told the family he, Mitchell and another teen were on their way back from a retreat in Spencer County when the crash happened.
Family members said not long after Coulter gave the eulogy, the other teen in the car decided to talk about what happened.
According to the police report, after the teen came forward, Coulter finally admitted to police Mitchell was the driver.
“There's no forgiveness. He had every chance to tell the truth. He never did until he was caught,” said Coleman.
“I don't think I've ever met somebody that's capable of standing there in front of someone that you were responsible for taking their life, standing right in front of his casket and telling the lies that he had told to cover up what he had done. He's the biggest coward I've ever seen,” said Mitchell’s aunt, Melissa Stephenson.
Family members said the worst part is that Coulter is Mitchell's cousin.
Mitchell’s family has retained an attorney, but hasn’t decided if a suit will be filed.
Neither Coulter, nor the Big Spring Assembly of God Church could be reached for comment.
The sheriff's department said the investigation has been reopened in light of new information, but would not say if charges will be filed.
For more information about the rights of those injured or killed by the negligence of others, visit http://www.kentuckyinjurylaw.com/
