Rockholds man facing DUI, reckless homicide charge after fatal Sunday morning crash

This truck rolled over multiple times after it crashed early Sunday morning. The crash claimed the life of a Rockholds woman.

A Rockholds man is behind bars facing DUI and homicide related charges after a single vehicle crash early Sunday morning.

The wreck happened about 2 a.m. on Flat Creek Road in the Rockholds community.

Joshua Lee Woods, 37, was driving a maroon pickup truck when he failed to navigate a curve and overturned multiple times, according to a Whitley County Sheriff’s Department release.

Wet roads are considered to be a contributing factor and none of the occupants are believed to have been wearing seatbelts, the release stated.

Laura Carter, 25, of the Rockholds community, died of injuries that resulted from the crash, according to the release.

Her father, James Carter, was seated in the rear passenger area, and was extricated from the truck.

Sheriff’s Deputy Jonas Saunders arrested Woods charging him with reckless homicide, operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol/drugs, operating on a suspended/revoked operator’s license, leaving the scene of an accident/failure to render aid or assistance, no auto insurance, and no registration.

Woods was also arrested on two warrants for failure to appear.

Joshua Woods is facing reckless homicide and DUI charges after a fatal crash early Sunday morning.

He was lodged in the Whitley County Detention Center about 5:12 a.m. Sunday.

As of Monday afternoon, no bond had been set in the case yet, but Woods has a $25,000 cash bond in connection with a 2015 circuit court case and a $200 cash bond in connection with a 2017 traffic case, according to the jail’s website.

Saunders and the Whitley County Coroner’s Office are continuing with the investigation.

“While a lot of people look forward to the three-day weekend, dispatchers, EMS, firefighters and law enforcement hope to make it through without a tragedy. Sadly, that wasn’t the case for Whitley County this Labor Day weekend. Our thoughts go out to the victim’s friends and family,” said Sheriff Colan Harrell.

According to Kentucky State Police’s most recent Traffic Collision Facts report, Labor Day was the second highest-ranking holiday for fatal wrecks.