Murder indictment returned in case of fatal accident

A Whitley County Grand Jury has indicted a Williamsburg woman for murder and other offenses in connection with a summer traffic crash that claimed the life of a Canadatown woman and injured her husband.

Sonia Askins is charged with murder in connection with a July 25 traffic crash.

On Friday, the grand jury indicted Sonia Askins, 47, charging her with 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.

On July 25, Askins allegedly manifested an extreme indifference to human life by operating a motor vehicle while being intoxicated and wantonly engaged in conduct which created a grave risk of death to another and caused Teresa Ward Bennett’s death, according to her indictment.

Askins was allegedly driving a 2004 Suzuki Forenza south on Ky. 895 in the Canadatown area 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.

Croley said the couple was about 100 feet from the driveway of their home when the collision occurred.

“According to the neighbors, they walked every day,” Croley said.

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 August preliminary hearing that Askins admitted to having a shot of moonshine and taking Oxycodone earlier in the day.

Witnesses reportedly watched Askins cross the centerline and strike the couple, Kelly wrote on the arrest citation. Askins is free on a $150,000 property bond.