1 juvenile dead, 1 charged in fatal Hardin County crash

ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. – The Kentucky State Police is investigating a fatal collision in Hardin County.

According to a release, KSP responded to a single-vehicle crash near the 860 block of Bewley Hollow Road on Saturday at 8:53 pm (EDT).

Investigators say the vehicle overturned and was partially submerged in a flooded creek.

A KSP trooper, along with a deputy from the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office and the Hardin County Emergency Management Coordinator, entered the flooded creek to rescue the three trapped occupants. KSP says heavy rainfall and widespread flooding were active at the time of the crash.

Investigators say a truck, driven by 44-year-old David Rhodes, of Elizabethtown, was traveling on Bewley Hollow Road when Rhodes lost control and exited the roadway and into the creek. Rhodes and two juveniles were trapped inside the truck.

KSP says all three occupants were transported to Hardin (BHH) in Elizabethtown for treatment.

One of the juvenile passengers sustained life-threatening injuries and was transferred to Norton Children’s Hospital in Louisville. The juvenile later died.

The second juvenile and Rhodes sustained minor injuries and were released.

Investigators say Rhodes was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash.

Rhodes was arrested and charged with operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol and first-degree assault. Investigators say Rhodes may face additional charges.

The investigation is ongoing.