Subject:

December 30, 2009 auto accident involving 5 area teens leads to charges filed

Date:

January 12, 2010

Sheriff's Deputy Cory Golightly who was conducting the investigation into the crash, learned that occupants of the car were encouraging the 16 year old driver to speed up as they approached a steep hill in an attempt to jump the hill and become airborne. The vehicle was traveling at speeds in excess of the speed limit and lost control after topping the hill, causing the driver to lose control, leaving the roadway and overturning several times. The driver and all passengers have since been released from area hospitals.

Deputies also learned through the investigation, that the teenage passengers had been drinking alcohol the night of the accident. Some beer cans were located in the wreckage.

The investigation also revealed that the alcohol (BEER) was purchased by the underage teens from a Paducah area convenient store; Star Mart located at 2213 Bridge Street earlier that evening. Surveillance videos obtained from the store indicate that a clerk at that location, sold a case of beer to a minor 18 year old Michael Cruse, approximately two hours prior to the accident, without seeing or asking for any identification. The clerk has been identified as Dhaval Patel, 27 years of age from Paducah, Ky. He has also been summoned to court on a charge of Selling Alcohol Beverages to a Minor 1st Offense.

Criminal Summonses have been obtained for the following:

Driver: 16 year old juvenile / Charges:

 1) No Operators License (Driver had only a learners permit. Driver was only to drive with a Licensed driver 21 years of age or older in the vehicle KRS 186.450(4). The driver did not have anyone in the car 21 years of age or older. A holder of an instruction permit is not allowed by law to operate a motor vehicle between the hours of midnight and 6:00AM KRS 186.450(5). A person holding a learners permit is not allowed to have more than one un-related passenger under the age of 20 KRS 186.450(6). There were four passengers in this vehicle all un-related and under the age of 20. 

2) Four (4) Counts of 1st Degree Wanton Endangerment

Michael T. Cruse 18 yoa of  Paducah. (Front seat passenger and owner of vehicle) Charges:

1) Unlawful Transaction with a Minor 2nd Degree.

2) Unlawful Transaction with a Minor 3rd Degree. For providing alcohol to minors in the vehicle.

3) Permitting an Unlicensed Driver to Operate a Motor Vehicle

Justin Skuchko 18 yoa of Lone Oak  (Rear seat passenger) Charges:

1) Possession of Alcohol by a Minor

Michael Carrico 19 years of age of Paducah (Rear seat passenger) Charges:

1) Possession of Alcohol by a Minor

17 year old juvenile (rear seat passenger) Charges:

1) Possession of Alcohol by a Minor    

Deputy Golightly has contacted the Kentucky Alcoholic Beverage Control Officer for this area who is also investigating.

Thanks,

Sheriff Jon Hayden

McCracken County Sheriff’s Department