12-Year-Old Girl Killed, Baby Injured In Louisville Crash; Two Drivers Face Charges
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A tragic two-vehicle crash on I-265 near New Cut Road early Monday left a 12-year-old girl dead and a baby seriously injured. Both the child’s mother and the other driver are now facing criminal charges, according to the Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD).
Jeep Ejected In Rear-End Collision
The crash happened around 2:30 a.m. when a vehicle rear-ended a Jeep, causing it to roll over through the median into other lanes. The striking vehicle was later found near a wooded area off the road.
LMPD confirmed that a 12-year-old girl in the Jeep was ejected during the crash and pronounced dead at the scene.
The Jeep’s driver, identified as Jasmin Simpson, 31, was also ejected. She and her baby, who was in a car seat, were found under the vehicle with life-threatening injuries. Both were transported to a local hospital for treatment.
Striking Driver Charged With Murder, DUI
Police identified the other driver as Renaldo James Gill, 34, who now faces multiple felony charges.
Gill was charged with murder, wanton endangerment, assault, criminal mischief, failure to wear a seatbelt, and DUI with a suspended license. His arrest citation revealed his blood alcohol concentration was .15, nearly double Kentucky’s legal limit of 0.08.
“The driver of the striking vehicle … is charged with driving under the influence of alcohol,” police said in their statement.
Mother Also Facing Charges
Authorities said Simpson, the mother of the 12-year-old girl and baby, also faces charges including wanton endangerment and failure to properly secure seat belts.
According to investigators, neither Simpson nor her daughter were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash. Police also determined the baby’s car seat was “definitely not secured properly.”
Roadway Impact
The crash forced police to close all lanes on both sides of I-265 for several hours while crews investigated and cleared debris. The interstate was fully reopened around 8:15 a.m. Monday.
Community Grieves, Investigation Ongoing
The deadly collision has devastated the Louisville community, raising questions about drunk driving enforcement and child passenger safety.
As the investigation continues, police emphasized that both impairment and lack of safety precautions contributed to the severity of the crash.
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