W’burg man faces felony charges after hit-and-run accident

A Williamsburg man is being held in the Whitley County Detention Center in lieu of a $50,000 cash bond on charges stemming from a hit and run accident early Saturday evening.

The accident happened about 6:40 p.m. near the intersection of Nannie Hubbard Road and Highway 204.

When Whitley County Sheriff’s Sgt. Kirk Mays arrived at the scene, he located the victim, Tyler Hersey, and a witness to the wreck.

Hersey was alert and Whitley County EMS transported him to Baptist Health Corbin for treatment.

"After a brief investigation, it was determined that a red, 1980’s model Chevy Camaro struck Hersey and his ATV and fled. Further, the witness obtained the car’s license plate number," according to a sheriff’s department release.

"Preliminary investigation suggested Joseph Lawson, 30, was the driver. Based on the scene, it was determined the vehicle likely sustained serious front-end damage and could not have traveled far from the scene."

After the crash, Lawson allegedly got out of his vehicle and started cursing Hersey and told him that’s what he deserved for what he had done, Mays wrote on the arrest citation.

When Hersey told Lawson that he hadn’t done anything to him, Lawson allegedly got back into his vehicle and fled the scene, Mays wrote.

Witnesses told police that Lawson came at a high rate of speed and didn’t attempt to stop and struck the four-wheeler in the rear, according to the arrest citation.

Police soon learned Saturday that Lawson no longer lived at his recorded residence. Mays, Sheriff’s Detective John Hill, Kentucky State Police Trooper Scott Bunch and KSP Sgt. Tony Dingess searched the area and followed up on information from area residents.

A tip from a Canadatown resident lead Mays to the wrecked Camaro, which was parked off Sanders Creek Road.

About 11:45 a.m. Monday, Lawson showed up at the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department to turn himself in.

Mays charged Lawson with first-degree assault, leaving the scene of an accident and first-degree wanton endangerment.

The wanton endangerment charge stems from Lawson having a child in the car with him at the time of the wreck, the release noted.

If Lawson posts his $50,000 cash bond, he will be required to wear an ankle-monitoring device as part of his bond conditions, according to the detention center’s website.