LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Testimony in Jefferson County Court in Louisville, Kentucky, Thursday afternoon told of the horrific accident that involved Trey Jones, his wife, Amy, and their two children, Ava and Creek.
Thirty-three-year-old Michael Hurley is now charged with murder in the death of Trey Jones, two counts of first-degree aggravated assault and one count of fourth-degree aggravated assault.
According to television station WDRB in Louisville, during a pretrial hearing on Thursday, the court heard testimony from Louisville Metro Police Department officer Rondall Carpenter, who provided new information about the extent of the victims' injuries.
Ava Jones suffered a broken back and has undergone several surgeries to relieve a brain bleed. Her mother sustained severe traumatic brain injuries and has undergone several surgeries on her leg. Both women remain in critical condition, according to UofL Health, but according to Hunter Jones, Trey Jones' eldest son who was not involved in the crash, they have regained consciousness and are no longer on ventilators.
Video played during the hearing shows the aftermath of the crash. In the video, Hurley does not get out of the car immediately to check on the victims. The video shows him stepping over a victim several times without checking on her. A bystander takes a shirt from him and appears to use it to try to stop the bleeding. At that point, Hurley opens his trunk to get another shirt and sit on the back of his car.
Carpenter testified Thursday that Hurley told officers he woke up at 3:40 that morning and had his dad drive him to work because he knew he shouldn't drive on Hydrocodone. He arrived home from work at about 4:30 p.m. and took another Hydrocodone at about 5 p.m.
Shortly after that, Hurley said he was driving back to Louisville for another job, but realized he'd be late, so he decided to drive back home — and that's when the crash occurred. A street camera captured him swerving a couple of times before he stopped and was almost rear-ended by another car.
As Hurley approached Third Street, he ran a red light. From there, the video shows him drifting from the third lane, crossing the intersection, jumping the curb and hitting the family. He then drove on the sidewalk for about 30 yards before he came to a stop, according to the video.
Investigators said Thursday there was no alcohol in Hurley's system, but his pupils were pinpoints that would not react to light — an indicator of being under the influence of a narcotic. His arms had several track marks, according to police.
Hurley remains jailed on a bond of $500,000. His next court appearance is tentatively set for Aug. 8.
Our sincere thanks to Christie Battista and WDRB television in Louisville for their assistance in our coverage of this continuing story.