A Corbin man caught on video barreling across the bridge over Lynn Camp Creek on U.S. 25W will lose his driver’s license for two years and faces a year in jail if he has any further run-ins with the law in that time.
Earl Roaden, 55 pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges of leaving the scene of an accident and reckless driving at his arraignment last Wednesday in Whitley District Court. The remaining charges, including four counts of first-degree wanton endangerment and second-degree criminal mischief were dismissed as part of the plea agreement.
Roaden was arrested Oct. 26 following an investigation by Corbin police into the incident on the bridge the previous day.
Video surveillance from Wallen’s Towing showed a green Chevrolet Z71 extended cab pickup truck with a toolbox in the back, tearing south across the bridge that had been closed to traffic due to maintenance.
While most of the workers were underneath the bridge, the video shows one person stepping out of a trailer parked on the roadway as the truck comes across the bridge.
Police recovered debris from the damage done to the truck, which continued south, turning right onto Master Street.
The following day, police began watching traffic as it came south on Beatty Ave. Traffic from the bridge had been rerouted across Beatty Ave. at that time because of the maintenance.
"We knew the vehicle we were looking for," said Colonel David Maiden of the Corbin Police Department. "We figured if he was coming through here, it was part of a pattern. Since the bridge was still closed, we looked for him to come down Beatty Ave."
Officers found the truck and conducted a traffic stop. They were able to match up the pieces they had with the damage done to the truck.
Roaden reportedly told police that he suffers seizures and doesn’t remember driving across the bridge.
In an interview with police, one of Roaden’s friends reported that Roaden is prescribed medication to help control his seizures but never takes it.
Maiden had previously said he intended to ask Roaden to produce his medical records as he is unaware of anyone being able to drive while suffering a seizure.
That proved to be unnessary when the case was adjudicated.
