An article from the Times Tribune said that the father of a 13-year-old boy who died in a crash is now being charged with manslaughter in relation to the boy’s death.
It was around 2 a.m. on February 23, when Jathan Malachi Patterson, crashed a 2008 Nissan Altima.
Jonathan Patterson,34, of Hinkle, is now accused of giving his son illegal controlled substances before the crash.
http://liarcatchers.com/wrongful_death.html
The Times Tribune said that Kentucky State Police Officer Trooper Shane Jacobs said that troopers were called to the scene of the crash which happened on KY-3438, just two miles south of Barbourville. He said that an officer saw Patterson driving before the crash without any headlights on.
The article Jathan had already traveled off the left-hand shoulder of the road and overturned before the officer could do a traffic stop. Jathan and his 14-year-old passenger were ejected from the vehicle. Jathan was pronounced dead at the scene, his passenger was treated at the Knox County Hospital and later released.
Trooper Jacobs said that the boys were not wearing seatbelts.
The article said that both Jonathan Patterson and Brandon Bledsoe, 33 of Barbourville, have been named on an indictment for charges in relation to the crash that killed Jathan.
The indictment charges Bledsoe with first-degree unlawful transaction with a minor after allegedly “inducting, assisting, or causing” Jathan to “engage in activity involving the illegal controlled substances.” This offense is listed as occurring on January 22 though, before the crash.
The next three counts on the indictment, according to the article, charge Johnathan Patterson in relation to the crash. He was charged with second-degree manslaughter in the second count of the indictment. It alleges that Johnathan “wantonly encouraged” Jathan “to operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicants” which led to Jathan driving “in such a manner that cause hid death.”
Count three charges Jonathan Patterson with first-degree unlawful transaction with a minor after he allegedly “knowingly and unlawfully” inducted or caused Jathan to engage in the activity involving illegal controlled substances and in doing so, led to Jathan’s wreck.
He is also charged with theft by unlawful taking of the value of $500 or more but less than $10,000.
Jonathan Patterson is accused of “aiding, counseling or attempting to aid” Jathan in taking the Nissan, which was owned by Jathan’s mother, Virgie Mills.
Bledsoe is in the Clay County Detention Center. His bond is not specified.
Jonathan Patterson is in the Knox County Detention Center under a $50,000 cash bond.
