LEXINGTON, Ky. — A family in Lexington is mourning the loss of a 10-year-old girl after a crash early Friday morning that police say was caused by a drunken driver.
Authorities said the girl, Alexia Gomez Hernandez, was among four children and two adults in vehicle that was struck about 3 a.m. at the intersection of Lansdowne and Tates Creek roads.
Police arrested 24-year-old Sequoyah Collins and charged her with driving under the influence. Officials said more charges are pending in the case.
According to witnesses, Collins was driving at a high rate of speed. She allegedly was seen running a red light, striking the other car as it attempted to turn left from Tates Creek onto Lansdowne. All six occupants of the struck vehicle were transported to a hospital, where Alexia later was pronounced dead.
Fayette County Coroner's officials said Alexia died of blunt force trauma.
Collins was not seriously injured.
According to a criminal complaint, Collins acknowledged having two alcoholic drinks about an hour and a half before the crash.
"The defendant had a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on her person," the citation reads. It continues, describing Collins as "unsteady on her feet, had slurred speech and bloodshot watery eyes."
Police said Collins "exhibited several signs of impairment" during a field sobriety test but refused to comply with requests for breath and blood tests.
A fund is being set up to help Alexia's family here.
