A man who owns an ATV involved in an alcohol-related crash that killed a 16-year-old girl has been charged with murder.
The investigation showed that an ATV containing four people — two 16-year-old girls and two adult males – was being driven by one of the 16-year-old girls.
“She lost control of the vehicle, it went over a hill, over a culvert-type embankment, resulting in the death of a female juvenile,” Perry County Sheriff Joe Engle said before adding, ““We do suspect that alcohol is involved in this, from our preliminary investigation.”
Emilynn Clark, 16, a sophomore at Perry County Central High School, was killed in the crash. One of the adult males on the ATV was airlifted with “serious injuries,” Engle stated.
The 16-year-old driving the ATV has been charged with DUI. Her name has not been released.
The owner of the ATV, Noah Back, 26, of Vicco, was arrested on Saturday and charged with murder in relation to the wreck.
“After conferring with Commonwealth Attorney John Hansen, we have established that probable cause exists that the actions Noah Back took on February 28 exhibited extreme indifference to human life which resulted in the death of 16 year old Miss Emilynn Clark,” Engle said in a social media post.
Back was lodged in the Kentucky River Regional Jail.
Engle also said the Emilynn “was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of her death …”
Perry County Central High School released the following statement following Emilynn’s death:
“It is with the deepest sadness we have learned one of our students at Perry County Central High School was tragically killed in an atv accident Saturday evening. Our hearts are broken for the student’s family, her friends, and our Commodore family. Counselors will be on hand Monday morning as a resource for our students and staff. Please keep this family and others involved in your thoughts and prayers in the days to come.”
(Photo l-r: Noah Back; Emilynn Clark, courtesy of GoFundMe.com)
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
