News Summary
Two separate fatal accidents in Lexington have devastated the community, one involving a young woman on I-75 and another being a pedestrian hit-and-run. These incidents have prompted discussions on road safety, with Fayette County seeing multiple fatal collisions in recent years. Authorities are investigating these tragedies to promote safer driving practices.
Lexington—Two tragic accidents have left the community mourning after a woman was killed in a crash on I-75 and a pedestrian died following a DUI hit-and-run incident. These incidents raise concerns about road safety as Fayette County recorded 15 fatal collisions in 2025, as reported by Kentucky State Police.
Liczi Lopez, a 22-year-old woman from Richmond, was involved in a single-vehicle accident on I-75 early Sunday morning around 4:38 a.m., near mile marker 110. Emergency responders pronounced Lopez dead at the scene at 5:30 a.m., attributing her death to multiple blunt force trauma injuries. The Fayette County Coroner’s Office ruled the incident an accident, noting that she was the sole occupant of the vehicle, which transitioned from the southbound to the northbound lanes prior to the crash.
In a separate incident, 32-year-old Joshua Hampton from Lily, was struck while walking on Georgetown Road on April 16 and succumbed to his injuries two days later on April 18. Jaime Caldwell, a 29-year-old special education teacher at Glendover Elementary School, was arrested approximately 90 minutes after the hit-and-run. Caldwell is facing serious charges, including aggravated driving under the influence (DUI) and failure to stop and render aid following an accident.
Investigations revealed that Caldwell’s blood-alcohol content was recorded at 0.278%, significantly exceeding the legal driving limit. Upon police arrival at the school where Caldwell’s vehicle was located, officers observed signs of impairment, including bloodshot eyes and the unmistakable smell of alcohol. Caldwell reportedly admitted to consuming Bacardi the night before and taking prescribed medications on the morning of the incident. In her arrest citation, she claimed to have heard a thud while driving but was unaware that she had struck a pedestrian. She ultimately failed multiple field sobriety tests administered by law enforcement.
In light of these incidents, Dia Davidson-Smith, a spokesperson for the school district, confirmed that Caldwell is currently on administrative leave pending the outcome of the legal proceedings. Caldwell’s case has been presented to a grand jury, with the potential for additional charges still under consideration.
Another tragic accident occurred on Bryan Station Road on April 27, claiming the life of 17-year-old Matthew Perrine, a junior at Frederick Douglass High School. The Fayette County Coroner’s Office reported that Perrine died from multiple blunt force traumatic injuries sustained during a head-on collision involving seven individuals. One person was found in critical condition, another in serious condition, and four others received treatment for minor injuries.
In response to Perrine’s death, the school is providing support services for staff and students to help process the loss. These incidents underline the ongoing issues of road safety and the impact of impaired driving on communities. The tragic outcomes have heightened concerns among residents for the safety of pedestrians and drivers alike.
As investigations continue into both accidents, community members are left grappling with the loss of two young lives and the repercussions of driving under the influence. Authorities encourage improved awareness and safe practices on the road to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
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HERE Resources
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One Dead, Six Injured in Head-On Collision in Lexington
Lexington: Tragic Fatal Crash Claims Life of Young Woman
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Teacher Arrested for Hit-and-Run in Lexington
Teacher Arrested After Hit-and-Run in Lexington
Two Injured in Crash at Lexington Intersection
Tragic Multi-Vehicle Collision Claims Three Lives in Lexington
Injuries Reported in Lexington Traffic Collision
Additional Resources
- LEX18: 1 Dead, Several Injured in Bryan Station Road Crash
- Google Search: Road Safety
- Kentucky.com: DUI Hit-and-Run Incident
- Wikipedia: Driving Under the Influence
- Fox 56 News: Fatal Crash on I-75
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Traffic Accidents
- WKYT: One Person Dead in I-75 Crash
- Google News: Car Crashes in Kentucky
