SOMERSET, Ky. (LEX 18) – State police cited the mayor of Somerset in a hit-and-run involving a teenager, but tonight he’s speaking out saying newly discovered surveillance video shows what "didn’t" happen.
The Somerset mayor says he has video that tells the tale of this incident and he told LEX 18 that his SUV also supports him.
There’s not a single mark on it.
Mayor Eddie Girdler is talking about the video that surfaced over social media. He told LEX 18 he has no idea where it came from, but did confirm that’s him driving the big white SUV.
The video shows a girl crossing the street on her bike, but it’s hard to tell what impact there was, if any, from the vantage point.
State Police say 15-year-old Victoria Smith was hit while crossing the street on her bike and the driver never stopped. They later cited Girdler for leaving the scene of an accident.
Smith’s family says she was treated at UK Hospital for her injuries. Mayor Girdler says most importantly, he hopes the teen is okay, but he denies this was a hit and run. He is thankful that the video has been released.
"The video indicates exactly what I told everybody, that I stopped, the person proceeded on down the street," he continued. "The issue is whether or not the mayor was leaving someone on the street, laying down…which is totally false, complete lies."
LEX 18 reached out to the teen’s family and we were referred to their lawyer. He told LEX 18 that he would not make a comment.
