Tragic Elizabethtown Wreck Claims Three Young Lives & Injures Two Others
There was a tragic single-car accident on US31 near Elizabethtown (Hardin County), Kentucky that resulted in the senseless death of three young people. Two others in the car, including the driver, were seriously injured.
According to KSP, Nathan A. King was driving a 1998 Mazda 626 south on US31 at what witnesses say was a high rate of speed. Mr. King's vehicle entered a slight left curve, sideswiped the wall, and traveled across both lanes, exiting on the right shoulder and striking a guardrail. The vehicle flipped over the guardrail and overturned numerous times before coming to a final rest on its roof.
Mr. King, 21 of Ekron, Kentucky, was stat-flighted to University of Louisville hospital with life threatening injuries. According to KSP, three of the passengers were ejected from the vehicle. 22 year old Brian Butt, 23 year old Michael Butt, both of Ekron, Kentucky, and 23 year old Dereke Chism of Guston, Kentucky, were pronounced deceased at the accident scene. A fourth passenger, 22 year old Bruce Butt of Radcliff, Kentucky, was transported to the University of Louisville hospital where he was treated and released.
The accident is still under investigation by Kentucky State Police. KSP is reporting that they believe alcohol and/or drugs may have been a factor in causing the wreck.
From a legal perspective, it sounds like Mr. King was driving negligently and, therefore, would be legally responsible for what happened to his passengers. There are defenses, however. I would want to have an experienced accident-reconstructionist investigate in addition to what KSP is doing.
