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Princeton man pleads guilty to amended charge from motorcycle accident that killed his son

A Princeton man charged in a motorcycle accident in 2024 that killed his infant son has pleaded guilty to an amended charge as part of a plea deal.

WPKY reported that Joseph Traylor appeared for a pretrial conference in Caldwell Circuit Court on Tuesday afternoon.

Court records indicated Traylor, who was originally charged with murder in the death of his 15-month old son Terry Desmond Traylor, pleaded guilty to an amended charge of vehicular homicide while under the influence of drugs or substances.

As part of the plea agreement, he also pleaded guilty to reckless driving and operating a motor vehicle under the influence under aggravating circumstances.

Princeton Police said that investigation into the accident found that Traylor was driving a motorcycle the wrong way on a one-way street with his child strapped to his chest when he attempted a wheelie, lost control, and struck a telephone pole.

Police said Traylor and his son were taken by ambulance to Caldwell Medical Center, where the child was pronounced dead. Traylor was later flown to Skyline Medical Center in Nashville for treatment before being arrested following his release.

The Commonwealth has recommended a 20- year sentence to run concurrently. Final sentencing is set for October 6th. Traylor is still being held in the Caldwell County Jail.

story/photo: WPKY

8 hours ago