Driver in South Side Crash Charged with Murder

The driver of a vehicle involved in a fatal collision Thursday night on Paducah’s south side has been charged with murder.

In a press release, Paducah Police say 24-year-old Robert C. Thomas of Alpha Drive was arrested Monday afternoon on a charge of murder and three counts of first-degree wanton endangerment, following an interview at the police department.

In Thursday evening's crash, Police say witnesses told them a vehicle driven by 53-year-old Honey Hastings was in the right-turn lane of John Puryear Drive preparing to turn onto Irvin Cobb Drive when an eastbound vehicle driven by Thomas hit Hastings' car in the driver's side door while traveling at a high rate of speed.

Hastings was pronounced dead at the scene. Thomas and a passenger in his vehicle, 22-year-old Andris L. Jackson, were taken to a local hospital with significant injuries. Two other passengers in Thomas' vehicle - children 3 years old or younger - were checked for injuries and released.

A collision reconstruction team and detectives investigated the crash, and reportedly found suspected synthetic marijuana in Thomas' van. Police say during Monday's interview, he admitted smoking synthetic marijuana shortly before the accident.

Police also say they acquired surveillance video from a nearby business that shows a vehicle traveling east at high speed on Irvin Cobb Drive just seconds before the crash.

Thomas was charged after detectives consulted with Commonwealth Attorney Dan Boaz. He was taken to McCracken County Jail.

The investigation is continuing, and police are asking anyone who witnessed the accident who has not already spoken with them to contact Detective Nathan Young at 270-444-8553.