LONDON KY—On Monday, Aug. 12th London Police Sgt. Ryan Jackson presented evidence to the Laurel County Grand Jury regarding a fatal collision investigation. Following the hearing, the Grand Jury returned an indictment on Aug. 16th on Joshua Stopher, 38, of Corbin, Ky. Stopher was indicted on second-degree manslaughter, operating a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs, second-degree assault, operating on a suspended operator’s license, failure to maintain insurance, and being a second-degree persistent felony offender.
Stopher was involved in a traffic collision on November 9, 2018, on South Laurel Road in London. Stopher was driving south with a passenger in the vehicle and made a sharp left turn into the path of a 1999 Chevrolet Silverado traveling north on South Laurel Road, driven by Edward Hammack, 55, of London.
The vehicles collided and both Stopher and Hammack were transported to Saint Joseph London for injuries. The passenger in Stopher’s vehicle was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Through investigation, it was determined that Stopher was driving under the influence of controlled substances. In addition, he was operating his vehicle with a suspended license and no insurance.
Upon the return of the indictment, the Laurel County Sheriff’s Department served the arrest warrant for Stopher on Aug. 16th.
Stopher is lodged in the Laurel County Detention Center.
