Askins’ vehicular homicide trial delayed until Jan. 10

Sonia Askins is charged with murder in connection with a July 25, 2016 vehicular homicide case.

A Williamsburg woman, who is charged with murder and other offenses in connection with a July 2016 traffic crash that claimed the life of a Canadatown woman, will have to wait a little while longer for her day in court.

Sonia Askins, 47, was scheduled to stand trial on Sept. 14 on charges of murder, leaving the scene of an accident, operating a motor vehicle while under the influence, tampering with physical evidence, fourth-degree assault and first-degree wanton endangerment.

Monday morning, Whitley Circuit Judge Dan Ballou agreed to postpone her trial until Jan. 10.

Seth Reeves, who took over as Askins’ legal counsel in July, noted that the prosecution has obtained an expert witness to testify and he needs additional time to in order to prepare for trial.

The trial is expected to last two to three days.

Askins has been in jail since March when Ballou raised her bond to $250,000 cash after she tested positive for opiates in her system.

On July 25, 2016, Askins was allegedly driving a 2004 Suzuki Forenza south on Ky. 895 when she crossed the centerline of the roadway and struck Teresa and Joshua Bennett of Williamsburg, who were walking south in the northbound lane.

Whitley County Coroner Andy Croley pronounced Teresa Bennett dead at the scene. Joshua Bennett was taken by ambulance to Baptist Health Corbin where he was treated and released.

After the crash, Askins left the scene of the accident without rendering aid, but later returned.

Askins allegedly told police that after she struck the pedestrians she drove beside them and asked if they were OK. When a detective asked her why she left the scene, she responded that she was in shock, her arrest citation stated.

Askins’ boyfriend reportedly told her to return to the accident scene.

Kentucky State Police Trooper Delzie Kelly, who investigated the crash, testified during an 2016 preliminary hearing that Askins admitted to having a shot of moonshine and taking Oxycodone earlier in the day before the crash.

Witnesses reportedly watched Askins cross the centerline and strike the couple, Kelly wrote on the arrest citation.