PRESTONSBURG – A Floyd County grand jury indicted one of the drivers involved in a fatal wreck that killed a Magoffin County High School student last year.
On December 10, Keith Anderson, 44, of Pike County, was indicted in Floyd County court and charged with vehicular homicide (Class B felony; first-degree assault (Class B felony); and operating a motor vehicle under the influence (Class B misdemeanor). According to the indictment, on or about October 6, 2024, Anderson allegedly drove while under the influence of a controlled substance, resulting in a motor vehicle accident killing Kayla Elam, and serious physical injury to another person. The third charge alleges not only operating a motor vehicle under the influence, but also of having a previous conviction.
According to court records, Anderson has had at least six previous driving under the influence convictions and five alcohol intoxication convictions since 1999. He has a pending DUI case and a pending public intoxication case in Pike County, both stemming from alleged incidents that occurred since that fatal crash.
According to the original reports, on October 6, 2024, crews were called to a fatal collision at 9:29 p.m. at the junction of KY 114 and Owens Street in Floyd County.
Through their investigation, Kentucky State Police troopers determined Keith Anderson was operating a 2010 Honda Insight when his vehicle crossed the center line and struck a 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, operated by Kenny Auxier. Anderson and Auxier were transported to medical facilities for treatment.
Kayla Nicole Elam, 17, of Salyersville, who was a passenger in the Chevrolet, was transported to a nearby hospital where she later succumbed to injuries sustained in the collision.
At the time of the crash, Elam was a senior at Magoffin County High School.
At press time, Anderson is being held at the Floyd County Detention Center.
Editor’s Note: The indictment or charge of a person by a grand jury or otherwise is an accusation only and that person is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
