LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Louisville Metro Police are doubling down on efforts to stop street racing after a fatal crash involving suspected racers on Bardstown Road.
According to police, 42-year-old Yusnier Pachecho Bernal was going nearly 120 miles per hour and "drag racing with a blue BMW" northbound on Bardstown Road around 1 p.m. Friday in south Louisville. That's when he crashed into a couple in a vehicle that was trying to cross Bardstown Road from Bardstown Falls Road.
Witnesses said both vehicles were traveling at a high rate of speed before the crash, which caused a huge debris field with parts from the wreckage strewn across both the northbound and southbound lanes of Bardstown Road.
Yusnier Pacheco Bernal, 42, was arrested Saturday and is being charged with murder following the fatal crash on Bardstown Road the day before. (Mugshot from Louisville Metro Corrections) Oct. 28, 2024
A data recorder inside Pachecho Bernal's Mustang indicated it was traveling at 119.6 mph at impact, according to his arrest citation.
Myrtle Wacker, 77, was pronounced dead at the scene. Her husband, 74-year-old Ronald Wacker, was taken to UofL Hospital with serious injuries, including broken ribs, a punctured lung and a lacerated liver.
"Street racing has been a problem," LMPD Chief Paul Humphrey said. "That's part of the reason we cracked down on it, is because we didn't want to see this result and what it did. Ultimately, that type of dangerous behavior innocent people get caught up in it and now we have a life lost needlessly."
Humphrey said those who see drivers racing or spinning out should get away and call police as LMPD continues targeting racers.
Pacheco Bernal is facing several charges, including murder, assault, two counts of wanton endangerment, speeding 26 mph over the limit and operating a motor vehicle with an expired license.
Police identified the alleged driver of the BMW as 38-year-old Adam Steele.
Steele is charged with three counts of wanton endangerment, speeding 26 mph over the limit, leaving the scene of a accident without rendering aid, racing a motor vehicle on a public highway, tampering with physical evidence and operating a motor vehicle with an expired license.
Both men pleaded not guilty to their charges in court Monday. Nicholson set Steele's bond at $150,000 and agreed to grant a request for work release for his job as a psychiatric nurse practitioner.
Pacheco Bernal's bond was set at $250,000 full cash.
The judge ordered both men not to drive again for any reason. Their next court appearance is scheduled for November.
Related Stories:
- Louisville police arrest 2 after violent crash that killed woman on Bardstown Road
- 1 dead, 2 injured in crash on Bardstown Road, Louisville police say
- Video shows massive crowd doing burnouts near Iroquois Park, climbing on Louisville police car
- Louisville police crack down on speeders, impound cars for street racing violations
- Louisville police impound several vehicles for street racing
- LMPD seizes 9 vehicles after breaking up Derby weekend street racing
- Dozens of arrests, impounds highlight 1st year of street racing ordinance in Louisville
- ‘We know what we’re doing is illegal’ | Louisville street racers reveal tactics amid increased scrutiny
- Ordinance aims to strengthen fines against drag racing, 'reckless driving exhibitions' in Louisville
Copyright 2024 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.
