Former Soccer Standout Charged as Adult in Crash

A former high school soccer standout has entered a not guilty plea as an adult to a murder charge in a traffic death.

The Paducah Sun reported the courts certified Edgar Yanez as an adult, despite the fact that he is 17, because of the severity of the charges. Yanez is charged with murder, first-degree assault, first-degree wanton endangerment, first-degree criminal mischief, and operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs.  His attorneys entered a plea of not guilty on his behalf at a hearing Thursday in McCracken Circuit Court.

Authorities said Yanez was driving a sport utility vehicle that collided with Ezra Moffett Jr.'s vehicle on June 20, killing Moffett - a 34-year-old newspaper delivery driver.

Yanez is held in lieu of $1 million bond.