The murder and DUI charges against the Hopkinsville man in jail for fatally striking a woman with his vehicle July 29 in Todd County will be heard by a grand jury following a preliminary hearing Monday morning in Todd District Court.
As previously reported, 71-year old Sarah “Janie” Barrow died at Skyline Medical Center in Nashville after she was struck by the SUV operated by 42-year old Billy Jo Faughn of Hopkinsville.
Kentucky State Police Trooper Hunter Carroll investigated the crash and said Faughn traveled 402 feet after leaving Blue and Gray Park Road before striking Barrow and pushing her through the wall of her garage.
A witness told police that excessive speed was a factor in the crash.
Trooper Carroll says Faughn performed poorly on field sobriety tests and blood tests are pending. He says it’s believed Faughn was under the influence of narcotics and not alcohol.
District Judge Ken Williams referred the case to be heard by the Todd County Grand Jury and chose to not modify Faughn’s bond amount at this time.
Trooper Carroll says there was no immediate evidence of a mechanical failure that may have caused the crash, but the SUV will undergo an examination to look for potential malfunctions.
