LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A 23-year-old Louisville man was arrested by Kentucky State Police on Saturday for leading officers on a chase with a stolen vehicle which ended with a crash that killed a 5th grade Kenwood Station Elementary student.
On Saturday at 3:30 p.m., officers conducted a traffic stop for a vehicle traveling south on Interstate 71 in Oldham County.
The driver failed to stop and continued speeding down the interstate. Officers then determined the vehicle was stolen.
The vehicle then hit a SUV that was traveling north on KY 329. Police said the driver, Tymetrius Walter, was then arrested.
A juvenile passenger in the SUV died in the crash and the driver of the vehicle was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Walter has been initially charged with murder, wanton endangerment, receiving stolen property over $10,000, assault and multiple traffic related offenses.
He's been housed in the Oldham County Detention Center.
According to a letter sent home to parents, Kenwood Station Elementary 5th grader Jake Luxemburger was the juvenile who died in the crash.
He had attended the school since Kindergarten.
"He never went without a smile on his face," Kenwood Station Elementary Principal Jenn Crase said in a letter sent home to parents. "He was easy to joke around with, charismatic, and stood out among his peers. Our school community is saddened by this great loss."
The letter sent home to parents can be read below:
documents obtained by WDRB News reveal that Walter has a history of running from police.
In October 2021, Walter was charged with Escaping, 2nd Degree and Fleeing, 1st Degree.
Arrest citations show that Walter escaped house arrest and also sped away from police trying to stop him.
the citation for the fleeing charge reads that police attempted to stop Walter but that 'the vehicle took off at a high rate of speed ' and nearly hit another officer who was on foot.
He was given diversion then, but is now behind bars after police say he killed the boy when a crash ended Saturday's pursuit.
Kentucky State Police said that at this point in the investigation, there is the no indication the trooper violated any policies during this pursuit. The investigation remains ongoing.
KSP released this statement to WDRB:
KRS and KSP Policy mandates that Troopers shall act with due regard to public safety during vehicle pursuits. KSP policy provides guidance on how pursuits should be conducted. It also directs on when pursuits should be terminated, such as for heavy traffic, residential areas, school zones, work zones, etc. A supervisor monitors the pursuit and can authorize continuance or termination of a pursuit based on available information and factors.
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