LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX News) — A judge has lifted the pretrial driver's license suspension for Kaydence Carpenter, ruling she has already served the maximum suspension period allowed under Kentucky law.
Carpenter's attorney asked the court to rescind the suspension, arguing she had been suspended since March 23 and had exceeded the six-month maximum suspension period for a first-offense DUI case.
Carpenter was arrested after a March 22 incident near Short and Mill streets in downtown Lexington. Police alleged she drove a Tesla over a curb and into a crowd of pedestrians, injuring four people. Investigators said video showed people surrounding her vehicle before it accelerated into the crowd and then traveled the wrong way on a one-way street.
A Fayette County grand jury later indicted Carpenter on four counts of second-degree assault, one count of first-degree wanton endangerment, driving under the influence, reckless driving and possession of a fictitious operator's license.
During a court hearing Thursday, the Commonwealth did not oppose the defense request to lift the suspension on Carpenter's licens.
"The suspension can't be longer than" the maximum period allowed by law, a prosecutor told the court, noting Carpenter had already served six months.
The judge agreed and ordered Carpenter's pretrial license suspension lifted.
However, the court declined to remove a separate bond condition that prohibits Carpenter from driving while her case remains pending.
Instead, the judge ruled Carpenter may only drive for medical appointments and emergencies.
"It's my understanding from discussions with the parties that she is having some issues," the judge said before allowing the limited exception.
The hearing also addressed a motion for immunity recently filed by Carpenter's defense team. Attorneys requested a hearing on that motion, with defense counsel estimating it could take several hours.
After discussing scheduling conflicts, the court tentatively set the immunity hearing for Oct. 12 at 9 a.m., though that date could change depending on other court proceedings.
A previously scheduled status hearing on Dec. 10 will remain on the calendar.
