Published: March 05, 2009 09:23 am      

Suspect in crash indicted

local news

SOMERSET — — A man indicted by a grand jury on several charges in connection with a deadly four-vehicle crash in northern Pulaski County appeared in court yesterday.

Samuel S. Jenkins’ defense attorney, Andrea Simpson, asked Circuit Court Judge David A. Tapp Thursday to consider a bond reduction in the case that began on May 12, 2008 when Jenkins, 21, of Monticello, reportedly ran his vehicle, a 2005 Chevrolet, into the back of a 2003 Pontiac driven by Tanya K. Clark, of Indiana.

The impact pushed Clark’s vehicle into the rear of a 2002 GMC operated by Murrell Denney of Waynesburg, who was waiting to turn left off of U.S. 27, and then into the northbound lane, where it was hit again by a 1999 Chevrolet driven by Paula F. Weddle of Liberty. Weddle had been traveling northbound on U.S. 27.

Clark’s vehicle then crossed back into the southbound lane and struck the Denney vehicle a second time. Clark was extricated from her vehicle and flown to the University of Kentucky Medical Center for treatment. She later died from what the Fayette County Coroner’s office called a “traumatic brain injury” and other trauma.

Clark’s address was listed as Peru, Ind., but she had been living in Somerset for approximately eight months before the accident, according to the Fayette County Coroner’s Office.

Weddle and three passengers in her vehicle, Tonya New, of Crab Orchard, Steven Zelaya, also of Crab Orchard, and Dorothy Foley, of Eubank, were taken to Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital for treatment of their injuries and later released.

Denney and a passenger in his vehicle, Reda Denney, were uninjured.

Jenkins was indicted by a Pulaski County Grand Jury in late November 2008 on one count of second-degree man-slaughter in connection with Clark’s death, three counts of first-degree assault, three counts of first-degree wanton endangerment and one count of operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Commonwealth’s Attorney Eddy F. Montgomery opposed the request for the bond reduction and Tapp denied the request.

Simpson said she would file more motions in the case. A trial date is set for April 20.