Allegations Surrounding Fatal crash in Louisville: Mother Arrested

A heartbreaking incident has unfolded in Louisville, where an infant has tragically died following a fiery crash. The mother, identified as 18-year-old Lyillie Pena, now faces serious allegations, including vehicular homicide and aggravated DUI. According to a report from WAVE, the crash occurred early Thursday morning on Newburg Road and East Indian Trail.

Witnesses described a chaotic scene where a Dodge Dart rear-ended a Ford Escape, leading to the Dart catching fire. When emergency responders arrived, they found Pena outside the burning vehicle, holding her critically injured 3-month-old son. Despite efforts to save him, the child was pronounced dead later that morning at Norton Children’s Hospital.

The driver of the Ford Escape reported he was stopped at a red light when he noticed Pena’s car speeding toward him. He claimed that she appeared aggressive after the accident, with glossy eyes and the smell of alcohol on her breath. Pena allegedly admitted to consuming 99-proof alcohol the night before and taking Adderall, raising serious concerns about her state during the crash.

Following the incident, police arrested Pena and took her into custody at Louisville Metro Corrections. A blood alcohol test conducted during her booking reportedly showed a reading of .039. She is set to be arraigned soon, as the community grapples with the tragic loss of a young life.

The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office has yet to release the child’s name, but the incident has drawn significant attention, highlighting the dangers of impaired driving and the devastating consequences it can have on families.