Hazard, KY (February 4, 2025) – Police in Perry County are currently investigating a fatal hit-and-run crash that took the life of one person on Sunday, February 2. Officers with the Perry County Sheriff’s Office were called to the crash scene on Highway 15 in the Ten Mile Community near the Perry County-Breathitt County line. Herschel Mullins, 53, of Perry County, was struck by a vehicle and killed as a result of the crash.
The person driving was identified as 48-year-old Timothy Noyes of Busy who was operating a black Volkswagen Jetta. Noyes fled the scene after the accident but was eventually caught by police. He was charged with driving under the influence on a suspended license, leaving the scene of a crash, failure to render aid and second-degree manslaughter. He was booked into the Kentucky River Regional Jail. Police in Hazard continue to investigate the details surrounding the wreck.
We want to offer our sincere condolences to the family of Herschel Mullins at this grieving time.
Kentucky Auto Accidents
Kentucky is no stranger to car accidents, with hundreds of thousands of reported wrecks per year. In 2022, the Bluegrass state reported over 130,000 traffic collisions, resulting in over 25,000 injuries and approximately 700 fatalities. Strikingly, over 250 of these fatalities were caused by drivers under the influence of drugs, while more than 150 were caused by drivers under the influence of alcohol.
The main contributor to most Kentucky crashes in 2022 was distraction, contributing to approximately 39,000 crashes and 134 deaths. Additionally, drivers not having proper control of their vehicles caused more than 14,000 accidents and over 200 fatalities.
In the last ten years, traffic accident deaths in the state of Kentucky have increased by 30%. In 2023, over 800 fatalities occurred on Kentucky roadways, marking the highest number since 2016. When pedestrians become involved in accidents, they often sustain serious or even fatal injuries. In 2022, over 100 pedestrians lost their lives in auto accidents in the state. This is more than the previous year, and the numbers continue to rise.
Across the US, auto accidents are a significant problem, happening more than 6 million times per year. Unfortunately, drivers who operate their vehicles while intoxicated, distracted, speeding, or fatigued cause the majority of traffic collisions.
If you have lost a beloved family member in a traffic accident caused by a negligent driver, you should not have to worry about money while you are attempting to emotionally and psychologically recover. A wrongful death lawyer can help you file a compensation claim so you can get the funds you need to cover the damages that may have resulted from your crash.
Losing someone you love in a fatal crash is the only thing worse than being hurt in one yourself. Filing a wrongful death claim with our compassionate wrongful death attorney in Hazard at Byrnes Law Office can help you pay for funeral costs and more so you can focus on your emotional well-being at this challenging time.
So if you have recently lost a loved one in a fatal crash, call the Byrnes Law Office at (502) 364-2500 to learn more about how we can help you through this troubling time.
Note: Our writers use external sources such as news briefs, police scanners, and eyewitness reports when creating this post. While we aim for accuracy, our team hasn’t independently verified the information. If you spot any errors, please inform us promptly so we can make corrections. If you’d like the post removed, please contact us, and we’ll act swiftly. Your feedback helps us uphold our standards.
Disclaimer: The Byrnes Law Office is dedicated to improving safety for Kentucky drivers. Our goal is to raise awareness about the dangers of driving and the need to use caution. This is not a solicitation for business, and none of the information constitutes legal or medical advice. Photos in this post are not of the actual accident scene.