MCCRACKEN COUNTY – On August 1st, 2015 at approximately 10:15pm, the McCracken County Sheriff’s Department received a report of two vehicle accident with injury at the intersection Highway 68 and Watson Road.
Investigation revealed that Richard K Uptain, 47 years old, of Calvert City, was operating a 2009 Dodge Caravan Eastbound on Highway 68 when he failed to observe that a 1992 GMC Sierra driven by Jeffrey Bennett, 32 years old, of Paducah, was making a right turn on to Watson Road. Mr Uptain’s vehicle struck Mr Bennett’s vehicle in the rear. The force of the collision caused Mr Bennett’s vehicle to leave the roadway and strike a Jackson Purchase utility pole. The pole was broken by the collision and had to be replaced.
Mr Bennett and his passenger, Carrie Hernandez, 23 years old, of Paducah, were not injured. Another passenger in Mr Bennett’s vehicle, Jae’Dyn Bennett, 10 years old, of Paducah, received a minor injury in the collision but did not seek medical treatment. Mr Uptain was transported to Lourdes Hospital by Mercy Regional EMS for treatment of non life-threatening injuries.
Further investigation revealed that Mr Uptain was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the collision. Upon his release from Lourdes Hospital, Mr Uptain was placed under arrest and lodged in The McCracken County Regional Jail Charges included: Operating a motor vehicle under the influence 1st offense (Class A misdemeanor) -Criminal Mischief 1st Degree (2 counts) (Class D felony) -Criminal Mishcief 3rd Degree (Class B misdemeanor) -Wanton Endangerment 2nd Degree (3 Counts) (Class A misdemeanor) -Assault 4th Degree (Class A misdemeanor) -Possession of an Open Alcohol Container (Violation) -Failure to Maintain Insurance (Class A misdemeanor)
The McCracken County Sheriff’s Department was assisted on scene by Mercy Regional EMS, The Reidland-Farley Fire Department, BA’s Wrecker Service, Jackson Purchase Energy Corp, and The McCracken County DES.