Kentucky Man Charged With DUI and Vehicular Homicide After Fatal Motorcycle Crash in Franklin County
FRANKLIN COUNTY, KENTUCKY — A 56-year-old Kentucky man is facing DUI and vehicular homicide charges after a deadly collision that killed a motorcyclist Wednesday afternoon in Franklin County, according to court documents.
Deputies said the crash occurred just before 4 p.m. on U.S. 127 near Steele Branch Road, close to a BP gas station.
Motorcyclist Killed After Truck Collision
According to investigators, Dennie Stivers, 56, was driving a Ford F-150 when he struck a motorcycle ridden by 52-year-old Jeremy Manns.
Manns was rushed to a nearby hospital but later died from his injuries. Deputies described the scene as chaotic, with passing drivers stopping to help before emergency crews arrived.
Driver Showed Signs of Impairment
A Franklin County Sheriff’s deputy who responded to the crash noted that Stivers had red, glossy eyes and appeared impaired.
Court documents say Stivers admitted to drinking “about one beer” roughly three hours before the crash. His blood alcohol concentration measured 0.087, slightly above Kentucky’s legal limit of 0.08.
Stivers failed multiple field sobriety tests and later consented to a blood test, which remains pending. He was arrested on-site and booked into the Franklin County Detention Center.
Prior Traffic Violations Weeks Before Crash
Records show that less than two weeks before the fatal collision, Stivers had been ticketed twice for speeding and not wearing a seat belt in separate incidents across two counties.
- In Franklin County, he was clocked over 20 mph above the limit, fined $209.
- Just four hours later, in Henry County, he was caught driving 22 mph over the limit and fined $203.
Authorities say these prior violations highlight a pattern of dangerous driving behavior.
Charges and Ongoing Investigation
Stivers now faces charges of driving under the influence (DUI) and vehicular homicide, both serious felonies under Kentucky law.
He is being held without bond at the Franklin County Detention Center as investigators continue processing forensic evidence, including the pending blood test.
Court officials said it is Stivers’ first DUI charge, but given the fatal outcome, he could face decades behind bars if convicted.
Community Reaction and Reminder
The fatal crash has reignited local discussions about drunk driving awareness and road safety in Kentucky.
Officials urged drivers to avoid drinking before getting behind the wheel, noting that even “just one drink” can impair judgment and reaction time.
“Every preventable crash like this leaves a family shattered,” one deputy said. “No one should lose their life because of someone else’s poor choice.”
Do you believe Kentucky’s DUI penalties are strong enough to deter repeat offenders?
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