A Morton’s Gap man is facing a slew of charges after he allegedly ran into several vehicles, some head-on, on Monday in Madisonville.
According to a news release, one of those struck as a Madisonville Police Department officer who was leading a funeral procession from Harris Funeral Home on North Main Street, who called in that he and several others had been hit by a vehicle.
Investigation has determined that a vehicle driven by 21-year-old John Oakley of Morton’s Gap was heading southbound on North Main when he struck two utility poles, then continued heading south in the northbound lane into oncoming traffic. That’s when Oakley reported hit one vehicle, then hit the officer’s patrol car, and then continue south, where he struck another car head-on.
The impact caused that vehicle to spin—but Oakley would finally stop after reportedly striking yet another vehicle head-on.
Two people were transported to Deaconess Baptist Health for injuries, while a third victim was flown by helicopter to an out-of-state hospital for treatment.
Oakley was arrested and charged with operating a motor vehicle under the influence of substances with aggravated circumstances, possession of an open alcoholic beverage container in a motor vehicle, volatile substance abuse, two counts of second-degree assault, three counts of first-degree wanton endangerment and five counts of first-degree criminal mischief.