Man charged after alleged hit-and-run kills woman in Ballard County

LA CENTER, Ky. – One man is behind bars after an alleged hit-and-run resulted in the death of a 72-year-old woman in Ballard County.

According to the Kentucky State Police, troopers and the Ballard County Sheriff’s Office identified the other vehicle involved in the reported hit-and-run that occurred Tuesday night.

Authorities say that vehicle was identified as a 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis driven by 21-year-old Elijah Cook of La Center.

Troopers say an investigation revealed Cook struck the back of a Nissan driven by 55-year-old Robbin McPhail of Fair Grove, Missouri while both vehicles were traveling east on U.S. 60. According to authorities, the impact resulted in the Nissan hitting a guardrail on the northbound side of the road and then continuing off of the southbound side, where it struck a tree.

Authorities say McPhail sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a local hospital, where she was treated and released.

A passenger in the Nissan, 72-year-old Deborah Martin of Fair Grove, Missouri, sustained life-threatening injuries. She was transported to a local hospital, where authorities say she died due to her injuries.

Cook was arrested and charged with second-degree manslaughter, leaving the scene of an accident, failure to maintain insurance and tampering with physical evidence.

He remains at the Ballard County Jail.

The Kentucky State Police states members of the public offered tips and information that assisted in the case.

The investigation remains ongoing.