LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — The man accused of driving drunk and killing two teenage siblings was in court on Wednesday via zoom.
Police say 30-year-old Zachary Smith killed 16-year-old Hailey Smith and her brother, 19-year-old Andrew Smith while driving drunk down Athens Boonsboro Road in Lexington.
Brandy Workman is the mother of Hailey and Andrew Smith who is still in shock over her children's sudden death.
"I have moments where I do okay and then suddenly I don't... it's still unreal they aren't here," said Workman.
During Smith's virtual preliminary hearing, police officer Nicholas Gray testified saying Smith crossed the center line hitting the teens' vehicle, both were pronounced dead on the scene.
Zachary was initially charged with a DUI, but his charges were quickly increased.
"In the vehicle, Mr. Smith was driving we located several open alcohol containers. Based on his intoxication and based on Officer Wells's investigation, and the death of the two occupants in the other vehicle the man slaughter chargers were placed," said Officer Grey.
According to his arrest citation, he had a 0.299 blood alcohol level, nearly four times the legal limit. This isn't Smith's first DUI either, in August of 2019 the Mount Vernon Police Department charged Smith a DUI.
Andrew and Hailey's mother has a message for Zachary Smith about the amount of pain this tragedy has caused.
"There are so many things I could say to him. I want to know if he's sorry, I want to know if he thinks about them, and I want to be mean too," said Workman.
Workman is now left with pictures, memories, and raising her grandchild, Hailey's one-year-old baby, Zoey on her own.
"I love them. I wish I could take it away for them. I wish I could take their spot because I would in a minute. It's not fair. I spent my whole life teaching my kids how to live if something happened to me, but I never taught myself how to live without them," said Workman
