Second teen in fatal wreck sent home

Whether or not speed was a factor in a crash that claimed the life of a Corbin High School student is still under investigation, but police say the accident, which occurred last Wednesday morning, happened while the driver was making a legal pass.

Fifteen year-old Steven Lambdin, of London, died last Wednesday hours after the vehicle he was riding in, a 1997 Toyota Corolla, driven by Jonathan H. Goforth, 16 of Gray, struck a Ford F-150 head-on while traveling eastbound on KY 770.

Police say the Toyota entered the westbound lane, attempting to pass another vehicle prior to the accident, but are unable to determine the speed of the vehicle at this time.

Trooper Don Trosper, who is the lead investigator in the case, said Monday no charges have been filed against the driver and the investigation is ongoing. As to whether charges will be filed in the future, Trosper said that decision is not in his hands.

“The first requirement for criminal charges to be filed is that there has to be criminal intent,” Trosper said. “Right now, there is not anything that leads us to believe that is the case.

“The investigation is ongoing and it is still too early to say whether charges will be filed or not, pending the outcome of the investigation,” he added. “I will complete my report, submit it to the Commonwealth Attorney, and from there, it will be determined whether it should be submitted to the Grand Jury for review.”

All three victims, including the driver of the pickup truck, Carrie Smith, 38 of Lily, were flown from the scene to the University of Kentucky Medical Center as the result of their injuries and traffic on the busy road was shut down for about three hours while officials tried to reconstruct the scene as part of their investigation.

Lambdin passed away Wednesday afternoon, Smith was treated and released last Thursday and officials with the UK Medical Center said Goforth had been discharged from the hospital on Monday.
Lambdin was laid to rest Saturday following a memorial service and funeral at Grace on the Hill, United Methodist Church. A memorial fund has been set up for the family of Lambdin. Anyone who would like to assist with expenses can donate at Hometown Bank in the name of Corbin High School, Steven Lambdin. Contributions will be taken at any Hometown Bank location in Corbin, Barbourville or London.