LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A 3-month-old child is dead after a fiery crash in the Newburg area early Thursday morning.
The child's mother, 18-year-old Lyillie Pena, has been arrested and charged with vehicular homicide, first-degree aggravated DUI, first-degree wanton endangerment and first degree criminal mischief.
Louisville Metro Police (LMPD) said the crash happened around 5:30 a.m. at Newburg Road and East Indian Trail.
Police said Pena's car was heading south on Newburg Road when she rear-ended another vehicle. Her car then caught fire.
The young child was rescued from the burning vehicle and transported to Norton Children's Hospital in critical condition, but later died from their injuries.
The other driver was uninjured and told police he saw Pena's car "barreling toward him" when he approached a red light at East Indian Trail.
Police said he was on the phone with a dispatcher when Pena approached him and said her car was on fire.
Detectives spoke with Pena at the children's hospital and noted that she had glossy eyes, was unsteady on her feet, aggressive, and smelled alcohol on her breath.
According to her arrest citation, Pena told officer she had consumers a 99 proof alcohol around 10 p.m. Wednesday night and admitted to taking Adderall. She failed a field sobriety test and refused a breathalyzer, police said.
After Pena was arrested and booked, authorities collected blood samples which revealed her blood alcohol results were .039.
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