Kentucky State Police investigating after juvenile dies in deadly DUI crash in Hardin County

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Kentucky State Police is investigating after a juvenile died in a deadly DUI crash in Hardin County.

KSP said it received a report of a single-vehicle crash near the 860 block of Bewley Hollow Road just before 9 p.m. Saturday. It said the vehicle overturned and was partially submerged in a flooded creek.

Law enforcement with KSP and the Hardin County Sheriff's Office, as well as Hardin County Emergency Management, responded to the scene to rescue those trapped inside the vehicle. KSP said heavy rainfall and widespread flooding were impacting the area at the time of the crash.

State police report 44-year-old David Rhodes of Elizabethtown lost control of a 2005 Ford Mustang while driving down Bewley Hollow Road. The Mustang overturned and drove into the flooded creek, trapping Rhodes and two juvenile passengers inside.

KSP said first responders successfully rescued all three from the vehicle and began life-saving measures.

Rhodes and the two juveniles were taken to Baptist Health Hardin in Elizabethtown. Rhodes and one of the juveniles were treated for minor injuries and released. The other juvenile passenger had life-threatening injuries and was transferred to Norton Children's Hospital in Louisville, where they were pronounced dead on Sunday.

During the investigation, it was determined Rhodes was under the influence of alcohol. He was arrested and charged with operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol and 1st degree assault. KSP said additional criminal charges are forthcoming. The investigation remains ongoing.