Former UK student acquitted in crash that killed child

A former University of Kentucky student has been acquitted of a reckless homicide charge in a DUI crash. 

The 2018 crash killed a 4-year-old child after a Kentucky football game. 

A jury deliberated about eight hours on Thursday night in Lexington before acquitting 21-year-old Jacob Heil of the homicide charge. Heil was convicted on a charge of driving under the influence during the crash that killed 4-year-old Marco Shemwell.

Attorneys for Heil argued during the trial this week that the crash was a tragic accident, and not a crime. 

Heil’s blood-alcohol content was 0.038 after his arrest, according to a blood test. The legal limit for a driver under 21 is 0.02, and Heil was 18 at the time.