A Leitchfield woman has been charged with second-degree manslaughter, a class C felony, after she wrecked a side-by-side while allegedly intoxicated, killing a passenger.
The Warren County Sheriff’s Office arrested 33-year-old Celeste Matthews on Friday and charged her with second-degree manslaughter, DUI (aggravating circumstances) and leaving the scene of an accident/failure to render aid.
According to the arrest citation, deputies responded Friday afternoon at approximately 3:25 to the 1000 block of Hayes Road, about five miles southeast of Bowling Green, on the report of a side-by-side accident.
Upon arriving at the scene, police found Glennis Speck, 66, of Bowling Green, deceased.
He had been a passenger in a side-by-side being driven by Matthews when the vehicle, while making a turn, “rolled over a couple of times” before coming to rest on Speck.
After the wreck, Matthews walked away from the scene into a nearby wooded area, according to the citation. Her vehicle was found parked in the driveway of the residence and contained “an open container of whiskey in plain view.”
Police searched the area for Matthews without success. An EMS team, though, soon located Matthews in the 11200 block of Cemetery Road, approximately three-fourths of a mile from the accident scene. Deputies arrived and found Matthews “sitting in a ditch.”
Upon making contact with Matthews, deputies noticed the “odor of (an) alcoholic beverage” coming from the suspect, the citation states.
Under questioning, Matthews admitted to driving the side-by-side when it crashed and, according to the citation, further told police that “after dinner” she drank two whiskey and Dr. Pepper “shots” in her car immediately prior to operating the side-by-side.
She was given a field sobriety test and arrested. Matthews was then transported to The Medical Center at Bowling Green for a blood draw and medical clearance.
Matthew was lodged in the Warren County Regional Jail.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
