The Adair County community is shaken by a tragic accident that occurred around 1:13 a.m. on Sunday that left one juvenile dead and another critically injured.
David C. King, 31, of Columbia, has been charged with vehicular homicide when under the influence of alcohol following the death of Skyler Huckaby, 14, of Columbia.
King is also charged with operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol, 3rd offense, aggravating circumstances; assault, 1st degree; wanton endangerment, 1st degree; reckless driving; and failure to wear seat belts.
There were three juvenile passengers in the vehicle with him at the time of the single vehicle accident.
King’s son, David Cecil King, Jr., was flown to University of Kentucky Hospital in critical condition. According to social media posts by his mother, Melissa Morey, he has a traumatic brain injury that has caused swelling and bleeding of the brain. On one post, Morey wrote that her son sustained trauma to his brain when he was ejected from the car and his injuries aren’t “fixable and have been told he is brain dead.” She continues with, “we have to prepare for the worst in the next upcoming days.”
Dawson Huckaby, 15, Skyler’s brother, was treated at Russell County Hospital and later released.
According to the arrest citation, Deputy Tweedy with Russell County Sheriff’s Department was the first law enforcement officer to arrive at the scene. Tweedy told the investigating trooper that when he arrived on the scene of the accident, King admitted to drinking alcohol prior to the collision. Deputy Tweedy detained King awaiting arrival of Kentucky State Police. He also stated that two of the three juveniles were critically injured.
Kentucky State Police Trooper Lee wrote on the citation that King displayed signs of intoxication such as glassy, bloodshot eyes and instability. King refused to submit to standard field sobriety tests but he did submit to a preliminary breath test with the results showing .13. Kentucky law classifies operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol at .08.
King told Trooper Lee that he “had drank too much beer” and admitted to drinking approximately 30 beers since 8 p.m. A search warrant was obtained to draw and test King’s blood for the presence of alcohol.
All three passengers are students in the Adair County school system. Superintendent Jason Faulkner released a statement Sunday afternoon addressing the loss of Huckaby.
“Our entire school community is grieving this tremendous loss,” Faulkner wrote. “Skyler was a bright and kind student, well-loved by classmates, teachers and staff. His presence in our halls brought energy and joy, and his absence will be profoundly felt by all who know him.”
Faulkner said grief counselors and support staff would be available at the Adair County Middle School.
“We encourage anyone who is struggling to reach out – we are here for each other,” he said.
Community members are currently organizing fundraisers for funeral expenses for Huckaby. Bernard Funeral Home is in charge of funeral arrangements. Donations can be made at the funeral home during visitation or by mail to P. O. Box 308, Russell Springs, KY 42642.
Visitation will be Thursday from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. and again on Friday from 9 a.m. until the funeral, which will be held at noon at Free Union Church 4600 Sano Rd., Columbia.
School in Adair County has been canceled Friday for the funeral.
King was arraigned in Russell County District Court on Monday. His bond is set at $500,000 cash. A preliminary hearing is set for Monday at 1 p.m.
By Amy Pike
newsroom2@adairvoice.com
