Traffic accident this spring leads to indictments

A five vehicle accident that occurred April 24th that led to the death of a Missouri woman nearly a month later has led to indictments against two of the drivers.

Paducah Police investigated the accident which occurred on Hinkleville Road.  During the initial investigation, several witnesses reported that a vehicle operated by 27-year-old Hayden Lawson of Kevil and a vehicle operated by 34-year-old Corey McCauley had been street racing before the collision. Investigators were unable to obtain a verified statement confirming the reported street racing on the night of the collision.

Investigators determined a vehicle driven by McCauley, and a vehicle, driven by Lawson, were traveling at a high rate of speed next to each other east on Hinkleville Road.

A third vehicle was starting in traffic from the traffic light at Friedman Lane, traveling downtown. The fourth vehicle was on Hinkleville Road in the turn lane facing west while waiting for the third vehicle to proceed through the intersection.

Once the third vehicle cleared the intersection, the fourth vehicle proceeded to turn left onto Friedman Lane. The Lawson vehicle first collided with the fourth vehicle and then struck the McCauley vehicle. The impact caused the Lawson car and fourth vehicle to collide with the third vehicle.  The fifth vehicle was struck by debris from the accident.

The Collision Reconstruction Team determined Lawson was traveling approximately 80 mph and McCauley was traveling approximately 75 mph before the collision. The posted speed limit in that area is 45 mph.

After completing the investigation, the case was presented to a McCracken County grand jury. An indictment was returned charging Lawson with murder and McCauley with complicity to murder related to the death of 31-year-old Leanna Butler of Columbia, MO. Butler was a passenger in the Lawson vehicle.

Butler died May 16th, nearly a month after the accident.  Under National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reporting standards, a death occurring within 30 days because of injuries or complications associated with a collision is attributed to that collision.