Rose Morgan Obituary, Death: Second-grader from Adair County identified as crash victim.

Rose Morgan Obituary, Death – New details have emerged regarding a tragic crash in Adair County that resulted in the death of a child. According to Adair County Schools, the young victim has been identified as Rose Morgan, a second-grader. She was pronounced dead at the scene by the Adair County Coroner’s Office.

The crash occurred on Saturday, December 21, at the KY 55 Bypass, near the intersection with Pelham Branch Road. The Kentucky State Police reported that the collision involved a 2018 Kia Sorrento, which was rear-ended by a 2016 Ford F-150 driven by 46-year-old Joel R. Hammack from Crossville, Tennessee. The impact caused the Kia to leave the roadway and overturn.

In addition to Rose Morgan, two other passengers in the Kia, 66-year-old Susan Morgan of Columbia and another juvenile, sustained serious injuries and were rushed to a local hospital. Two more individuals, including the driver of the Kia and a third juvenile, were taken to the hospital with minor injuries. Hammack, the driver of the Ford F-150, and his passenger, 45-year-old Walter Nichols of Bean Station, Tennessee, were treated and released after the crash.

Hammack was arrested at the scene and faces several charges, including vehicular homicide under the influence of alcohol, DUI (fourth offense or greater), first-degree assault, and three counts of second-degree assault. The charges stem from his alleged impaired driving and the resulting fatality.

Further complicating the situation, Hammack’s passenger, Walter Nichols, became unruly while first responders were on site attempting to assist the injured. Nichols was charged with third-degree assault (against EMS, fire, and rescue personnel), fourth-degree assault (minor injury), third-degree terroristic threatening, second-degree disorderly conduct, and alcohol intoxication in a public place.

Both Hammack and Nichols are currently being held at the Adair County Detention Center. Hammack’s criminal history includes a previous arrest in Elizabethtown earlier this year, where he faced charges related to assaulting a police officer and allegedly strangling a male subject.

The crash has left the community in mourning, especially for the family of Rose Morgan, and has raised further questions about impaired driving and its devastating consequences. The Kentucky State Police continue to investigate the incident, and additional details may emerge as the legal process unfolds.

The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of driving under the influence and the far-reaching impacts of such reckless actions. The families of the victims are undoubtedly struggling with the aftermath, and the legal proceedings against Hammack and Nichols will likely play a key role in seeking justice for those affected by the crash.