Laurel County, KY - Sheriff John Root is reporting that: Laurel Sheriff's Detective Sgt. Chris Edwards along with Sgt. Greg Poynter arrested Chris L. Francis age 36 of Little County Road, East Bernstadt on Monday night November 19, 2018 at approximately 9:40 PM.
The arrest occurred off Little County Road approximately 6 miles north of London after this subject was charged on a Laurel County warrant of arrest obtained by Detective Sgt. Chris Edwards regarding a fatal traffic crash which occurred on September 5, 2018 on Hensley Road approximately 6 miles north of London.
During the investigation of the crash it was determined that Francis was operating a vehicle under the influence of illegal narcotics and was on the wrong side of the road when the collision occurred. During the collision a passenger in the vehicle with Francis was fatally injured.
In addition, three other individuals in the other vehicle that was struck by the Francis vehicle were also injured –Two of these individuals were later transported to the University of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington for treatment of injuries sustained in the crash.
Francis has previously been arrested and convicted of operating a motor vehicle under the influence on two other occasions -In 2014 and the other in 2016.
The vehicle that Francis was operating was not registered to Francis and did not have insurance at the time of the collision.
A review of the medical records of Francis indicated that at the time of the crash Francis had methamphetamine in his system at an abnormally high level.
Chris Francis was charged with murder; two counts of assault first-degree; wanton endangerment – first-degree; operating a motor vehicle under the influence – third offense; failure of owner to maintain required insurance first offense.
This individual was lodged in the Laurel County Detention Center.
Photo of accused being escorted to the Laurel County Detention Center from the Sheriff’s office on Monday night November 19, 2018 of the Laurel County Sheriff’s office is attached.
Jail tracker photo provided as a courtesy of the Laurel County Detention Center.
Crash photo from previous LSO news release.
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