LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The trial began Monday for the man accused of drunkenly crashing into a Kansas family on a downtown Louisville sidewalk in 2022, killing one and injuring two others.

Michael Hurley admitted to doing drugs before hitting a Kansas family with his car at 2nd and Market streets on July 5, 2022.

The family he hit had traveled to Louisville for their 17-year-old’s basketball tournament. The father, 42-year-old Trey Jones, died shortly after being struck. His wife, Amy, and daughter, Ava, were seriously hurt and were in town for weeks in rehab in Louisville.

Hurley is accused of taking hydrocodone, veering off the road and hitting the family of four as they were on the sidewalk downtown.

Jury selection began the process Monday a week after Jefferson Circuit Court Judge Annie O'Connell allowed TV cameras in the courtroom despite a request to exclude media coverage by the defense.

The Jefferson Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office objected to the motion, arguing the court should be open to the media, and jurors will be questioned before the trial as to whether they have been biased by media coverage.

Ava Jones and her parents

Ava Jones and her parents pose with a University of Iowa flag after she committed to play basketball for the Hawkeyes.

O'Connell said it is typical to allow one television camera as a pool reporter for the rest of the media outlets to share.

"If it is disruptive, I will consider taking this up again and consider placing some limits on it," she said Tuesday. "But as for prejudice for Mr. Hurley, I routinely advise jurors and admonish them not to follow the media, not to look at the media as soon as we begin jury selection."

Michael Hurley admitted to doing drugs before hitting a Kansas family with his car at 2nd and Market streets on July 5, 2022.

Ava Jones was a high school basketball star in town for a tournament when the crash happened. She'd committed to play at the University of Iowa. Earlier this year year, Iowa said Jones will take a medical disqualification and retire from basketball. 

"We wish Ava the best on the road to recovery and fully support the decision she made to step away from the game,' Iowa coach Jan Jensen said in a news release. "She worked tirelessly to get to this point, but she made the best decision for herself and her well-being."

She will remain on scholarship as she pursues her degree.

"It has just been a lot of recovering," Amy Jones said to WDRB News on Monday. "Physical therapy, doctor's appointments. I am still recovering and Ava has had multiple surgeries, same as me. So it's just been a lot of time in the doctor's office."

Amy said she is nervous this week and hopes justice is served.

"I think the emotion I am having is dread," Amy Jones said. "I just have been dreading this for the last year when we know this was coming. Especially when we know Michael was not taking the plea bargain. So just been dreading this moment."

Ava has another surgery coming up to correct her vision as she continues speech and occupational therapy. Amy said she and Ava will testify on Thursday. It will be the first time they see Hurley in person.

"I think I will feel a little angry looking at him thinking about how his choices, his bad choices ruined our whole family so that will not be a great feeling," Amy said.

Hurley faces charges of murder, assault and driving under the influence. He faces up to 70 years in prison.

"There's never going to be closure because, like I said, we're never going to get Trey back, Ava will never be 100%, nor will I," Amy said. 

This story will be updated.

Related Stories:

Copyright 2024 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.