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Driver Not Charged In Double Fatal Crash Save Email Print
Posted: 3:47 PM Aug 29, 2007
 Last Updated: 6:09 AM Aug 30, 2007
 Email Address: news@wsaz.com
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A grand jury in Kentucky chose not to indict the driver of a car involved in a crash that killed two teens.

17 year-olds Marinda Perry and Kristi Blevins, both of Louisa, were killed in the accident in Lawrence County, KY back on April 25th. Kentucky State Police say their car was hit head on by a car driven by James C. Preece of Louisa.

According to a State Police press release, last Friday a Lawrence County grand jury returned a ”no true bill” in its investigation of the crash. That means there will be no indictment or further court action.

Troopers say following the accident, Preece claimed to have suffered a heart attack that led a loss of control of his vehicle and the fatal crash that followed.

The press release says investigators examined medical records, including toxicology results associated with Preece’s treatment, after the crash. While the presence of small quantities of some prescription drugs was discovered, there was no evidence that Preece was impaired by them at the time of the crash.

The KSP’s investigation revealed conclusive evidence that Preece had in fact suffered a heart attack around the time of the accident.
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Posted by: Anonymous on Jan 18, 2008 at 11:17 PM
he had a heart attack from all the pills he has always done that is a fact. he was in court that same day on DUI charges this man is not innocent
Posted by: louisa girl on Aug 31, 2007 at 11:57 AM
I think it goes without saying that this is one of the cases that everyone in Louisa has been watching and waiting to see the outcome of. If there had been sufficient evidence of guilt, he would have been convicted. However, he wasn't, and that means they DID NOT have evidence to convict. This was and still is a horrible tragedy. And all of you who point fingers and are angry at him do not have to wake up every morning faced with living with what happened. He almost died too, you know. But nowhere does that seem to be mentioned. And you can't exactly plan when and where you are going to have a heart attack. If you could, you would be at the hospital waiting!! All families involved have been through an extremely rough time. My heart goes out to all of them. God's blessings and strength to you all!!!!
Posted by: green on Aug 31, 2007 at 11:25 AM
Melinda and Adam: No, people don't always die instantly from heart attacks or even after them while waiting for help to arrive. My understanding is that he had the attack while driving, therefore he wouldn't have had time, or the capabilites to pull over. During a heart attack you are not always capable of thinking, acting or reacting as you normally would. Adam, being overweight etc. doesn't guarantee you'll have a heart attack (though it does increase the risk) nor does apparent perfect health guarantee you won't. People who are in top physical condition can still have heart attacks, just like non-smokers can still get lung cancer. Heart attacks are caused by all sorts of things not just obesity and diabetes. The only way to ensure no one has a heart attack while driving is for no one to drive. Come on people, do you read this stuff after you write it?
Posted by: Mary on Aug 31, 2007 at 10:34 AM
To WSAZ, when this accident first happened and the pictures were on your website, I thought that was very inappropriate. But to remind us of them on this story is inexcusable in my book. Pictures of the young ladies who lost their life would have been more appropriate.
Posted by: vicki on Aug 31, 2007 at 10:22 AM
Was there a 3rd person in the car with the girls? If so how is she doing? I hope everyone involved will find peace and comfort one day. God now has 2 more angels .
Posted by: Angie on Aug 31, 2007 at 07:33 AM
To Melinda, what rock are you living under. Not everyone who suffers a heart attack dies! This is just your way of trying to put the blame back on this man. And to Adam, there are perfectly otherwise healthy people who have heart attacks, including young althetic college students. You don't have to be overweight or have diabetes or hypertension to have a heart attack. Some people with these illnesses cannot prevent them so are you saying that if you have diabetes, hypertension, obesity, etc. you should never operate a car. Diabetes, hypertension, and sometimes obesity cannot be prevented and neither can heart attacks. Sure you can lower your risk factors by eating healthier and trying to losing weight but there is no guarantee you'll be successful. Sometimes heart disese is hereditary. Get a life Melinda and Adam and quit blaming this man for what happened here. I'm sure he didn't want to suffer a heart attack and definently did not want to cause this accident by having one.
Posted by: Rebekah on Aug 31, 2007 at 12:37 AM
I just want to clear something up! The first Sarah that posted on here is not Sarah Prince, the girl who gave the interview! The next few comments are Sarah Prince, because she thought that you were all talking about her and not the first girl! I have been and will be praying for everyone involved, because this has become such a terrible mess. Let us all just remember that these two precious girls are in heaven, and nothing we say, do, or argue about is going to bring them back. Let's just let their memories live on and forget these silly arguments.
Posted by: Mom on Aug 31, 2007 at 12:13 AM
This is to Adam...You have a good point and I do believe that there are times when you bring some health problems on yourself. Do you know this gentleman? I don't so I can't really say what his medical condition is. I do, however, know that there are individuals that lead healthy lifestyles and still have heart attacks, strokes, seizures without notice. I've read my post over and I don't recall ever saying that the car "had a mind of its own and went out of control".....not sure where that came from
Posted by: Citzen on Aug 30, 2007 at 11:10 PM
I don't think the Firefighter should make comments to the girl Sarah like he did.She sounds as if she is in denial over her friend's deaths. She has a right to her thought's and comment's,just like you.You sound like you are not mature enough! You should be a little more understanding,you sound ignorant! Her question's made sense! Try answering them for her! No hard feelings,we think Firefighters are great! Anyone can have a heart attack anywhere,anytime,they have no control over things like this!As far as the speeding I don't know? Our thoughts our with the famlies.
Posted by: becky on Aug 30, 2007 at 09:57 PM
I feel sorry for all families involved in this traggic accident. people should forgive this man he had a heart attack that was beyound his control. It is a horrible thind to lose people you love this way I know our family lost three people due to a crazy drunk driver who had no license or insurance because of other offences of drinking and driving. This was only FOUR years ago and guess what the jerk is already out of prison yes I said already out. What kind of justice is that? No it isn't fair but thats how the law works i guess now he is out on the roads to kill more people! Whike he was waiting to go to trail for killimg my family he was picked up again for drinking and driving go figure. So who has control over what happens a heart attack victim or a drunk driver? Think about it who nedds to be forgivin and who doesn't. The poor guy who had the heart attack has to live with that day the rest of his life also! So try to find it in your hearts to forgive him. The girls probably have.
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 30, 2007 at 08:57 PM
Sarah, I lost my best friend when we were in high school. I feel your pain and am so sorry for you loss. You are grieving and nobody has the right to tell you how to so. But, I can tell you from experience that you will not heal as long as you have this anger. My thoughts are with you, be strong.
Posted by: Kelley on Aug 30, 2007 at 07:50 PM
Its a very sad story I didnt know the girls but this one got to me because when they show the wreck video I saw a Slipknot bag on the road they are one of my favorite bands and I hope if anything like this ever happens to my friends or family I can forgive them because it was a accident and Im sure it will haunt him for the rest of his life.
Posted by: green on Aug 30, 2007 at 06:47 PM
Mom, you've said exactly how I feel. This is a horrible story but also an unfortunate accident beyond this man's control. For those of you angry about this, put yourself behind the wheel. If you had a stroke, heart attack, seizure, etc. while driving, should you be punished if you accidently hurt someone? It's a sorry situation all around. He wasn't drunk, crazy or otherwise impaired. This was not a result of a poor choice he made, he had no way of knowing he would have a heart attack and lose control of his car. I understand why you're angry, I would be too. It's terrible that this happened, but we can't punish people for things they have no control over. All involved are in my thoughts and prayers.
Posted by: fathermyself on Aug 30, 2007 at 05:48 PM
I have two teenage daughters. If something like this happened to my family, we would be crushed. But I believe under these circumstances, it was indeed an accident and not intentional. Shame on you people blaming this man. Don't you realize that he has to live with the guilt for the rest of his life. As a father, I would want to take the place of the girls if at all possible. But we can't and yes, bad things happen to good people. But please don't make it any harder on the other guy. He's going to suffer this pain until the day he dies.
Posted by: rick on Aug 30, 2007 at 03:12 PM
Sarah, its obvious that you are mot mature enough to know that you cant predict nor stop a heart attack from happening, I would say that it is safe to say that this gentleman did not get up that morning and say to himself, " I believe I'll drive down the road today and have a heart attack and maybe be able to wreck and kill two people. It is terribly sad but it was an accident, and I'm sure this man lives with this everyday of his life. God is taking care of those girls know so lets let them and him rest.
Posted by: TO SARAH on Aug 30, 2007 at 01:58 PM
FIRST OF ALL, YOU ARE NOTHING MORE THAN A LIL GIRL WHOS NOT MATURE ENOUGH TO BE ON THIS WEBSITE NOR MAKE COMMENTS ON IT SUCH AS WHAT YOU WROTE. SO UNTIL YOU GROW UP STAY OFF THIS SITE AND KEEP YOUR RUDE COMMENTS TO YOURSELF. HOW IN THE WORLD CAN YOU SAY (AND I QUOTE) "I CANT BELIVE THEY LET HIM GET AWAY WITH THIS?" ARE YOU THAT CRUEL HEARTED? THAT POOR MAN HAD A HEART ATTACK FOR CRYING OUT LOUD AND THERE IS PROOF TO BACK IT UP. NOBODY KNOWS WHEN IT'S THER TIME TO GO NOR DOES ANYONE KNOW WHEN THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE A HEART ATTACK. IM SO SORRY FOR THE LOSS OF YOUR FRIENDS AND I DO HOPE YOU CAN FORGIVE THIS MAN BUT BEING MAD AND RUNNING YOUR IGNORANT MOUTH DOESNT HELP MATTERS OUT. ALSO, WHY WOULD YOU PROPOSE SOMEONE COME TO WENDY'S TO FACE YOU? JUST GOES TO SHOW HOW IGNORANT YOU ARE. TO THE FAMILY OF THAT POOR MAN I HOPE HE'S DOING OK. DONT WORRY ABOUT TRASH ON HERE RUNNING THEIR CHOPS. THEY WILL BE JUDGED ONE DAY AS WELL AND WHEN THEY DO IM SURE THEY WONT LIKE IT.
Posted by: Mary on Aug 30, 2007 at 01:31 PM
To Sarah and Lisa, if it was your relative that had a heart attack, would you be so judgmental than, I don't think so. Its horrible that these two young ladies lost their life, but remember they may no longer be with you but you have your memories of them and that is something that no one can take from you.
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 30, 2007 at 01:17 PM
sarah...please..think about how he feels. He had a heart attack. What if he was your grandfather? Would you be saying "ohh it's not fair" Didn't think so. The poor man didn't intentionally do this. Get over yourself. Think about others instead of yourself!!!
Posted by: Karen on Aug 30, 2007 at 01:03 PM
It's sad that the comments people are leaving on here. I don't know any of you but I do know that the gentleman did not ask to have a heart attack. How could you punish someone for something they can't help? I know the girls family and firends are hurt but come on now put him away throw him in jail God says FORGIVE you don't have to forget. I know how you all feel I just lost my 18 yr old cousin 2mths ago it was all over the news she drove accross a railroad track that did'nt have no lights or no guard and no sound were there was bushes and trees grown up so high that she did'nt see the train comeing. See that's something to punish someone with the railroad could've had all of that fixed but they did'nt take care of it so my cousin died. If someone would've hit her from haveing a heart attack and she died it would've been anyones fault. I hope one of these days everyone that's blameing this man and think what if I was i his shoes. People i'm sure this goes through his head at night. RIP
Posted by: Melinda on Aug 30, 2007 at 11:45 AM
I thought heart attacks killed you as soon as you have it.I'm no doctor, but if this guy was having a heart attack while driving and hit these two innocent girls head on and I'm sure it took some time for the ambulances to respond, wouldn't he have died from the heart attack. Why didn't he pull off the road or stop his vehicle and called 911 instead of driving like a maniac to get help,if that's what he was doing.
Posted by: Adam on Aug 30, 2007 at 11:05 AM
Addressed to Mom. Yes I believe you can intentionally have a heart attack. By this I mean: if you have high blood pressure, if you are overweight, if you have sugar, or if you are a heavy smoker. This means awareness to your well-being. Now, if any of this is at hand, and you chose to drive...then you should be accountable for your actions. Unless, we then want to blame this on one of those times when "the vehicle had a mind of it's own and went out of control".
Posted by: Sarah on Aug 30, 2007 at 11:05 AM
Yes, this man had no intention of killing those two girls. I'm sure he's tormented by the thought of them dying and him being the cause. I think that's punishment enough. I feel sorry for both him and the two girls' families. All are going through such pain about all of this. It's true that things like this event happen all the time and can't be prevented. There's nothing we can do except pray and hope for a better future. I believe that those girls were an inspiration to our small town. They showed us that life is full of surprises and that we must appreciate more what he have. They've shown us how much we can open up and be there for each other. I'm not saying that their deaths were good things, but they have brought great changes into our lives. And we'll never forget them.
Posted by: Mom on Aug 30, 2007 at 09:23 AM
Good post Angie and Firefighter....this man had a heart attack!! It is tragic to lose these 2 young women, but it was an accident! This sort of thing could happen to anyone, Sarah/Lisa...your father, brother, grandfather. Do you think if it did, your loved one should go to jail???? People "intentionally" drink and drive...they "intentionally" do drugs and sometimes hurt others, They "intentionally" point guns at people, but can you "intentionally" have a heart attack? I'll be praying for the families of the 2 young ladies and the gentleman...
Posted by: Sarah on Aug 30, 2007 at 07:03 AM
I didn't say that he should be put in jail. I said that heart attacks can't be prevented and that he shouldn't be punished for something like that. Do you believe everything you hear on the news? And you call me ignorant. Why don't you come to Wendy's and talk to me personally instead of believing false statements? I'll be happy to tell you my exact feelings, and I assure you, WSAZ didn't document them.
Posted by: Angie on Aug 30, 2007 at 05:29 AM
Come on "Sarah" the guy had a heart attack. I know these two girls were your friends but God made them cross paths with this gentleman for a reason that day. Heart attacks are very serious and can be caused by many different things. Maybe he was going "so fast" because he was trying to get himself help or because his body was temporarily paralyzed due to the pain from the heart attack and he couldn't function properly. Why are people so forgiving, because or good Lord tells us to be, and all should especially in this situation. He didn't gun these girls down or rape and murder them. Something happened to him that was out of his control and an accident happened. You should forgive his man as it was medically proven that he did in fact suffer a heart attack and you should keep the memory of your friends alive. You especially need to pray a lot and others need to pray for you until you forgive his man.
Posted by: Lisa on Aug 29, 2007 at 11:30 PM
I am FURIOUS to hear that a man who took the lives of two beautiful young women can just walk free. Heart attack or not, we lost those girls forever! There are many people whose lives will never be the same because of what he did and yet he walks free. Free to breathe. Free to live. Free to love. What about Marinda and Kristi?
Posted by: Firefighter on Aug 29, 2007 at 11:00 PM
First of all Sarah, I as a public service officer as well as a citizen, I am completly shocked that you would wish for this man to go to jail for having a heart attack. Since you obviously are not mature enough to realize that it was an accident, please keep your ignorant comments to yourself.
Posted by: Sarah on Aug 29, 2007 at 04:45 PM
Marinda was one of my best friends and I knew Kristi pretty well. I can't believe they let him get away with this. He took two of the most amazing people that I've even known from me. Ren and Kristi were such great people and I don't have them anymore because he 'had a heart attack' What was the cause of the heart attack and why was he driving that fast? I really don't understand how people can be so forgiving with things like this but make a big deal out of other things. This is horrible. I LOVE YOU MARINDA AND KRISTI!
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