The driver initially charged with murder in a wrong-way crash on Interstate 65 in 2022 has been sentenced to 25 years in prison after pleading guilty last week to vehicular homicide and host of other charges.
Thomas Catalina, 44, pleaded guilty Wednesday to vehicle homicide while under the influence, wanton endangerment and assault, among other charges. Jefferson Circuit Court Judge Brian Edwards sentenced him to 25 years in prison.
The defense and prosecution settled the case earlier this month in felony mediation.
Catalina is from Manchester, Tennessee, according to the arrest citation.
Catalina was charged in connection with the August 21 wreck in the southbound lanes of I-65 near the Watterson Expressway that killed 26-year-old Rajnu H. Masoud of Bowling Green.
According to an arrest report, witnesses told police that Catalina was driving his pickup truck more than 100 mph, just before the crash. Police said he was driving northbound in the southbound lanes of traffic on I-65 when he hit several vehicles.
Catalina’s pickup truck overturned and burst into flames during the incident.
Masoud was in one of the vehicles Catalina hit and was pronounced dead at the scene. Two other victims were taken to University of Louisville Hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening.
Catalina allegedly told an officer after the crash that he had used methamphetamine several days ago, but then added that it may have been sooner. According to the arrest report, he also told officers that he had been driving the truck as fast as it would go, and that drugs had messed him up.
Source: WDRB
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