A Tennessee man faces charges including vehicular homicide after police say he was allegedly found to be intoxicated following a fatal collision on the Columbia Bypass Saturday afternoon.
State Police say the collision occurred at around 4:30 Saturday near the intersection with Pelham Branch Road.
46-year-old Joel Hammack of Crossville, Tennessee was traveling south on the bypass in a Ford F150 when it struck a Kia Sorento operated by 62-year-old Townya Ritzie of Columbia. The collision forced Ritzie’s vehicle off the roadway where it overturned.
A child passenger in the vehicle, who was identified by the school district as a second-grade student at Adair County Primary Center, was pronounced deceased at the scene. Two other passengers in Ritzie’s vehicle, 66-year-old Susan Morgan and a 15-year-old child, were transported for treatment of injuries, according to reports.
Hammack was arrested Sunday evening by Kentucky State Police and charged with vehicular homicide while under the influence of alcohol, operating a motor vehicle under the influence of a controlled substance – 4th or more offense, assault first degree and assault second degree.
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Full report from KSP below:
COLUMBIA, Ky. (December 22, 2024) – Kentucky State Police (KSP) Post 15 Troopers responded to a two-vehicle injury collision on KY 55 Bypass near the intersection with Pelham Branch Road in Adair County that occurred on December 21, 2024, at 4:30 P.M. CST.
The preliminary investigation revealed that Joel Hammack, 46, of Crossville, TN, was traveling south on KY 55 Bypass in a 2016 Ford F150 at a high rate of speed. Mr. Hammack came upon a slower-moving 2018 Kia Sorento traveling south on KY 55 Bypass. The Kia Sorento was operated by Townya Ritzie, 62, of Columbia. Due to Mr. Hammock’s speed, his vehicle collided with the rear end of the Kia Sorento. The collision forced Ms. Ritzie’s vehicle off of the roadway where it overturned.
A juvenile passenger in Ms. Ritzie’s vehicle was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Adair County Coroner. Two passengers, Susan Morgan, 66, of Columbia, and a juvenile were transported to the hospital with serious injuries. Another juvenile passenger and Ms. Ritzie were transported to the hospital for treatment of minor injuries. Mr. Hammack and a passenger in his vehicle, Walter Nichols, 45, of Bean Station, TN, were treated and released.
Joel Hammack was arrested and charged with Vehicular Homicide Under the Influence of Alcohol, DUI 4th Offense or Greater, Assault 1st Degree and Assault 2nd Degree (3 counts). Mr. Hammack was lodged in the Adair County Detention Center.
Upon arrival at the collision, first responders were met by Walter Nichols, who was unruly as they attempted to aid those involved. Walter Nichols was subsequently arrested and charged with Assault 3rd Degree (EMS, Fire, Rescue Squad), Assault 4th Degree (Minor Injury), Terroristic Threatening 3rd Degree, Disorderly Conduct 2nd Degree and Alcohol Intoxication in a Public Place. Mr. Nichols was lodged in the Adair County Detention Center.
KSP Post 15 Troopers were assisted at the scene by the Adair County Sheriff’s Office, Columbia Police Department, Columbia Fire and Rescue and the Adair County Coroner’s Office. Senior Trooper Weston Sullivan is investigating the collision.
