SALYERSVILLE – One person went to the hospital and another to jail after a two-vehicle wreck at the intersection of the Mountain Parkway and Burning Fork on Saturday night.
According to the police report, on November 18, a car driven by an 18-year-old female was traveling on Burning Fork when she pulled up to the red light (red light 3) and, after the light turned green, she turned left onto the Mountain Parkway towards Salyersville when a pickup truck is believed to have driven through the red light and hit the rear end of her vehicle.
When police arrived at the scene of the collision, the mother of the driver of the car told police that the driver of the pickup truck had a smell of alcohol coming from him.
Magoffin County Sheriff Department Deputy D. Watson talked with the driver of the truck, identified as Eric Cody Prater, 30, of Banner, Kentucky, and noted instantly smelling alcohol coming from Prater and his vehicle, also indicating in the arrest citation that he had slurred speech, slow, staggering movements and very red, glassy eyes.
After reportedly failing some field sobriety tests, Prater was taken into custody. After being taken to the sheriff’s department, Prater blew a 0.141 on the breath test.
Prater was taken to the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center and charged with operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol, first offense. He was released on bond the next day, pending future court dates.
The teenage driver of the car suffered only minor injuries and was transported by family members to a local area hospital.
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.