Joel Hammack

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A Tennessee man charged with driving drunk and causing a crash that killed a second-grader in Adair County over the weekend was in court Monday.

It happened around 4:30 p.m. Saturday on the KY 55 Bypass near the intersection of Pelham Branch Road. Kentucky State Police troopers responded to a crash involving two vehicles.

Investigators said 46-year-old Joel Hammack, from Crossville, Tennessee, was driving a Ford F-150 when he rear-ended the Kia Sorento the girl was riding in Saturday afternoon in Adair County. The vehicle overturned, and the girl was pronounced dead at the scene. 

A 66-year-old woman and another juvenile were taken to the hospital with serious injuries, according to reports from WLEX-TV. 

Hammack is charged with vehicular homicide when under the influence of alcohol, DUI, operating a vehicle under the influence of a substance, and four counts of assault. A judge Monday sent his case to a grand jury and denied a bond reduction request, keeping it at $1 million. 

A passenger in Hammack's truck — 45-year-old Walter Nichols — is also facing charges.

Police said Nichols was "unruly" and uncooperative with first responders before he was arrested and charged with third-degree assault (EMS, Fire, Rescue Squad), fourth-degree assault (minor injury), terroristic threatening, disorderly conduct and alcohol intoxication in a public place, according to court documents. 

This is at least Hammack's fourth DUI charge. Adair County officials said the tragic crash is a reminder to keep an eye on your friends and family this time of year.

"If you have a family member that has an issue with alcohol, try to talk to them and see if they can get some help or something like that," KSP trooper Jonathan Houk said. "If you are actually the person, I encourage you to just reach out for help if you have a problem with it."

Troopers say make sure you plan ahead and designate a driver if you're going to drink. 

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