A Tennessee man has been convicted on charges stemming from a crash in Kentucky that killed a 7-year-old girl and injured four other people in 2024, according to the Kentucky State Police.
Kentucky State Police said a three-day trial began on February 2 in a Casey County Circuit Court following a venue change from Adair County.
On February 4, 47 year-old Joel Hammack, of Crossville, was found guilty of murder, two counts of first-degree assault, two counts of fourth-degree assault and possession of marijuana.
Additionally, Hammack was found guilty of first-degree persistent felony offender, which enhanced the penalties for his other charges.
Ketncuky State Police said the jury recommended life in prison for the murder and two first-degree assault charges, which is the maximum penalty in Kentucky, and the maximum sentence for his other charges.
Hammack is set to be sentenced in March.
Hammack’s charges stem from a crash that happened on December 21, 2024, on the Columbia Bypass in Adair County.
Kentucky State Police said over the course of the investigation, Detective Sullivan determined that Hammack was operating a Ford F-150 at a high rate of speed while under the influence of drugs and alcohol when he struck the rear of a Kia Sorento.
The crash killed 7-year-old Rose Morgan and inured four other in the Kia, two of whom sustained serious injuries.
Source: WBKO
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