Lily man facing assault charge in connection with car wreck

A Lily man has been charged with first-degree assault after Laurel County Sheriff’s deputies say he was driving under the influence when he crashed his car, resulting in serious injuries to the passenger Thursday night.

According to Sheriff John Root, deputies arrested 21-year-old Jackson West on Monday afternoon on the warrant they had secured.

Deputy Gilbert Acciardo, the department’s public affairs officer, said the wreck occurred about 10:30 p.m. on Sinking Creek Road, approximately five miles west of London.

Acciardo stated that as deputies spoke with West, they detected the odor of alcoholic beverages emitting from him.

When questioned about it, deputies reported that West admitted that he had been drinking and had consumed nine cans of beer prior to driving.

Acciardo said the female passenger in the vehicle, whose name was not available, had to be flow from the scene.

West was initially charged with driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs – second offense.

West is being held in the Laurel County Detention Center on a $25,000 cash bond.

Under Kentucky law, first-degree assault is a Class “B” felony, carrying a potential prison sentence of 10 to 20 years.