LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A Louisville man has been charged with murder after police said he crashed into another vehicle while driving under the influence, killing one person.
Police said Joseph Luckett, 43, was driving northbound on S. 7th Street Dec. 28 when he crossed into the southbound lane and struck a vehicle. The driver of the other vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene.
Friends and family said Dominic Cherry was killed in that crash. Those who knew Cherry said he worked for Metro Solid Waste.
Luckett was extracted from his car and taken to UofL Hospital. Officers said they could smell an alcohol odor, as did medical staff. A blood sample and toxicology report found that Luckett had a blood alcohol concentration of .164% and benzodiazepines in his system.
Luckett was charged with operating a motor vehicle under the influence and failure to maintain insurance in addition to murder.
Metro Council President David James said it has been a tough week for the city following the heartbreaking news involving two of their own.
LMPD tow truck driver, Larry Kizer was tragically killed in an accident on New Year's Eve while towing an abandoned pickup truck on the side of the interstate.
"Their loss is our loss also," James said. "Their jobs matter, they matter and to lose them especially during the holidays it's hard on the people that they work with and for their families."
Cherry's funeral is planned for tomorrow. In an email, Cherry's co-worker told WHAS, his crew members plan to take 35 garbage trucks to the memorial service to pay their respects.
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