Written by: Timothy Carlson
Date: Sat Aug 01 2009
A Kentucky man participating in a sprint triathlon in Louisville, Kentucky was struck and killed this morning by a hit-and-run driver, according to the Louisville Courier-Journal.
Police charged Kenneth Yates, 25, of Louisville with murder, drunk driving and assault on a police officer, according to Louisville Metro Police spokeswoman Alicia Smiley. Police stated that Yates was drunk and driving at high speed when he hit John Carr, 47, of near by Owenton, Kentucky, about 8 a.m.
Carr was riding in the cycling leg of a sprint triathlon at E.P. 'Tom' Sawyer State Park when he was hit from behind. Louisville Metro Police said that Yates continued driving with Carr’s bicycle still on his windshield until he was stopped by an off-duty police officer directing traffic for the triathlon.
According to police, Yates fled on foot to a nearby house until he was brought back to the scene by his mother.
The Courier-Journal cited a Jefferson County Deputy Coroner who said that Carr was pronounced dead at the scene of blunt force trauma. Louisville Metro Police spokeswoman Smiley said Yates resisted arrest, which prompted the additional assault charge.
The 28th annual edition of the E.P. “Tom” Sawyer State Park Triathlon was a USA Triathlon sanctioned event consisting of a half mile swim, 14-mile bike and a 5k run held on park grounds and surrounding roads.
