PIKEVILLE, Ky. (WYMT) – A Friday evening crash killed one person and injured another, sending one West Virginia man to the Pike County Detention Center.
The Pikeville Police Department responded to a crash on U.S. 119, where Officer Taison Lockridge reported that Chad Blackburn, 36, of Red Jacket, W.Va., had been operating his vehicle while under the influence.
Police say Blackburn crashed into another vehicle, which resulted in the death of its driver and serious physical injury to its passenger.
According to arrest citations, Officer Lockridge made contact with Blackburn on the scene, noting “he had bloodshot, watery eyes” and a “white, thick substance in the corners of his mouth.” The citation continued to say Blackburn admitted to smoking “a marijuana THC vape pen.” Upon examination, Lockridge wrote, he had a thick, slightly green film across his tongue.
After field sobriety tests, during which Lockridge noted several concerns, Blackburn agreed to a blood test and was then taken to the Pike County Detention Center.
Reports say a search of Blackburn’s vehicle found a small, clear, plastic bag, “containing a blue powder substance, suspected to be heroin,” and a white vape pen with a brown liquid, which officers believe to be marijuana.
Blackburn is charged with vehicular homicide when under the influence, first-degree assault, DUI, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of marijuana.
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