From Laurel County Sheriff John Root -
The sheriff states that 37 year old Chris Lee Francis of East Bernstadt pled guilty in Laurel Circuit Court on Tuesday, October 29, 2019 regarding a traffic crash investigated by Laurel Sheriff's Detective Sgt. Chris Edwards.
The crash occurred on September 5, 2018 where allegedly Francis was driving a Toyota Camry along Hensley Road in northern Laurel County and his vehicle crossed the centerline and struck a GMC Terrain head-on.
Francis' mother - 60-year-old Holly Francis - was a passenger in his vehicle and she was transported to St. Joseph Hospital London where she died a short time later. The driver of the GMC Terrain along with her passengers, a two-year-old and an infant, were all injured.
Detective Sgt. Chris Edwards presented information from the case investigation leading to indictment of Chris Francis regarding the traffic crash and the death and serious injuries which occurred.
Francis entered a guilty plea to second-degree manslaughter, second-degree assault, first-degree wanton endangerment and third offense of driving under the influence to receive recommended sentences totaling 15 years.
Formal sentencing is scheduled for November 25, 2019.