A man who killed a 71-year-old man in Hardin County in a DUI incident has pled guilty to multiple charges.
Matthew R. Bush, 34, of Hodgenville, pled guilty on Tuesday in a Hardin County courtroom to vehicular homicide, his second DUI and leaving the scene of an accident, according to a report by The News-Enterprise. He was initially charged with murder.
Bush’s plea deal calls for him to serve 17 years in prison. He will not be eligible for parole until serving 85 percent of the sentence. Formal sentencing is scheduled for January 6, 2026.
Hawk was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Hardin County Coroner’s Office.
Bush, after hitting Hawk, fled the area south on Hwy 31-W (Dixie Hwy).
Surveillance video was obtained by the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office and showed the truck hitting Hawk. Soon after, police received information that Bush had traveled to Horse Cave and was hiding from deputies behind a barn on Hwy 31-W.
Police, including the Hardin and Hart County Sheriff’s Offices, found and arrested the suspect. Law enforcement, during the investigation, discovered multiple open alcohol containers, presumably in Bush’s truck.
WNKY.com first reported Bush’s 2024 arrest.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
