Two charged with murder, complicity after woman's death from April multi-car crash

Two local men are charged with murder and complicity to murder related to the death of a Missouri woman after a multi-vehicle collision in Paducah this past spring.

According to the Paducah Police Department, officers responded to a crash involving five vehicles at the intersection of Hinkleville Road and Friedman Lane on the night of April 24.

Several witnesses reportedly told police that two drivers, 27-year-old Hayden Lawson of Kevil and 34-year-old Corey McCauley of Paducah, were street racing before the collision. Investigators noted that they were unable to obtain a verified statement confirming the reported street racing on the night of the collision.

Police said 31-year-old Leanna Butler of Columbia, MO, was a passenger in Lawson’s vehicle. She was seriously injured during the crash and underwent surgery.

On May 16, Butler died from complications related to the surgery for her injuries. 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.

Further investigation by the Collision Reconstruction Team found that on April 24, Lawson and McCauley were traveling next to each other at around 80 mph and 75 mph, respectively, on Hinkleville Road. Police said the posted speed limit in that area is 45 mph.

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 Butler’s death.

Anyone with information related to the ongoing investigation is asked to contact the Paducah Police Department at (270) 444-8550.


(Photos: Paducah Police Dept.)