The intoxicated driver in a deadly crash in Nicholas County that killed a high school student and a 20-year-old man is facing two counts of murder.
Cheyeene R. Clifford, 24, was allegedly intoxicated when he left Myers Road near Carlisle and struck a tree. Five people, including Clifford, were in the vehicle when it crashed at approximately 1:30 Sunday morning.
Killed in the wreck were 17-year-old Nathaniel Clay Welch, a rising senior at Nicholas County High School, and 20-year-old Gage Gaunce-McFarland, of Robertson County. Two other victims from Clifford’s vehicle were airlifted from the scene.
Clifford, according to media reports, had a blood alcohol level of .14.
In addition to two counts of murder, Clifford was charged with DUI (aggravating circumstances) and two counts of first-degree assault. He was lodged in the Bourbon County Detention Center on a $100,000 cash bond.
Nicholas County Schools Superintendent Doug Bechanan released the following statement on Welch’s death:
We are heartbroken by the tragic event of the weekend and the death of one of our students, Clay Welch.
Clay was a special young man who loved life and what it had to offer. He was a charismatic individual who regularly had a smile on his face. The best testament to his personality was that others wanted to be around him. To say he will be missed is an understatement.
As we are all shocked and saddened by this tragic event, grief counselors are available to anyone in our school community. Those professionals will be available to students throughout the summer to deal with this loss. For more information, please call your child’s school.
Our thoughts & prayers go out to those involved in the accident, and to all family and friends effected by this tragedy.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
