A Tennessee man was indicted on murder and assault charges in Adair County stemming from a wreck last December that resulted in the death of a child.
An Adair County grand jury indicted 47-year-old Joel Ray Hammack of Crossville, Tennessee on charges of murder, two counts of assault first degree, operating a motor vehicle while under the influence – third offense, two counts of assault – fourth degree, and other charges.
Kentucky State Police say Hammack was traveling south on the Columbia Bypass in a Ford F150 on December 21 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 Adair County Schools as a second-grade student at Adair County Primary Center, was pronounced deceased at the scene. Two other passengers in Ritzie’s vehicle were injured in the collision.
Hammack remains lodged in the Adair County Regional Jail without bond.
