Federal and state charges are pending against a driver who hit a teen and several other vehicles near the Louisville VA Medical Center on Thursday morning.
According to court documents, 60-year-old James Wells was traveling on I-71 south between I-264 and Zorn Avenue when police say he rear ended another car.
Court documents say Wells hit the car multiple times before speeding around the car and exited the interstate onto Zorn Avenue.
Police then say Wells then hit the trailer that car was towing and when the driver, a teenage boy, got out to look at the damage, Wells hit him with his car. Police said he suffered injuries to his leg.
Witnesses told police Wells may have been suffering from a mental health incident.
According to Louisville Metro Police Department, Wells allegedly also struck several other vehicles with his SUV. At one point, witnesses said he got out of his vehicle with “a small sledgehammer” and began attacking other nearby vehicles.
His actions caused other drivers to lock themselves inside their vehicles, according to police.
Wells then fled down Zorn Avenue in his SUV and hit a concrete barrier near the VA hospital’s emergency room entrance. VA Police responded and detained the suspect until Louisville Metro Police arrived to arrest him.
The teen was transported to the University of Louisville Hospital and is expected to survive his injuries.
According to police, federal charges are pending against the suspect.
As for state charges, Wells is facing wanton endangerment, assault, and leaving the scene of an accident and failure to render aid.
A Louisville Metro Police Department spokesperson said it is still too early to know whether the incident stemmed from road rage or another situation.
Source: WHAS11
You must be logged in to post a comment.