Four juveniles have been charged after a crash involving a stolen SUV left a home heavily damaged and sparked a fire earlier this month in the Colony Estates neighborhood, according to the Daviess County Sheriff’s Office.
According to DCSO, the incident occurred at approximately 4:50 a.m. on April 5 in the 5400 block of Arlington Park Drive, where deputies and multiple fire departments responded to a structure fire involving a black SUV that had crashed into a residence.
According to investigators, a man, a woman, and their three children were asleep inside the home when they were awakened by a loud crash. When they went outside, they found that an SUV had struck the residence, and a fire had begun where the vehicle had impacted the structure, DCSO said. All five occupants were able to escape without injury.
Authorities said the driver fled the scene before the family exited the home.
According to DCSO, witnesses reported seeing the SUV traveling at a high rate of speed through the neighborhood prior to the crash, which also caused damage to a neighboring home before the vehicle came to rest and caught fire.
Firefighters extinguished the blaze, but both the home and the SUV sustained heavy damage. The Red Cross assisted the displaced family.
During the investigation, deputies determined the SUV had been stolen. Authorities said that surveillance video from a nearby residence showed multiple individuals approaching the vehicle and driving away with it shortly before the crash. The case was later assigned to the DCSO General Investigations Unit.
Detectives conducted interviews and reviewed additional surveillance footage, which they say showed suspects checking door handles of vehicles in the neighborhood the evening of the crash, “likely targeting unlocked cars.”
Over the course of the investigation, four juvenile suspects were identified and interviewed with parents present, according to DCSO. All were charged in connection with the theft of the SUV and offenses related to the crash and fire.
Three of the juveniles were taken to the Warren County Regional Juvenile Detention Center, while one was released to a parent. Evidence associated with the crime was obtained from three of the juveniles and logged into DCSO evidence, authorities said.
Kentucky law prohibits the release of identifying information for juveniles charged with crimes.
A 14-year-old female from Owensboro was charged with two counts of first-degree criminal mischief (complicity), third-degree criminal trespassing, and leaving the scene of an accident/failure to render aid.
A 14-year-old male from Owensboro faces charges including theft of an automobile valued over $10,000, three counts of first-degree wanton endangerment, third-degree criminal trespassing, leaving the scene of an accident, third-degree fleeing or evading police, and resisting arrest.
A 16-year-old male from Owensboro was charged with theft of an automobile over $10,000, eight counts of first-degree wanton endangerment, two counts of first-degree criminal mischief, two counts of third-degree criminal trespassing, and leaving the scene of an accident.
A 14-year-old male from Livermore was charged with theft of an automobile over $10,000, three counts of first-degree wanton endangerment, two counts of first-degree criminal mischief (complicity), two counts of third-degree criminal trespassing, and leaving the scene of an accident.
The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact DCSO or Owensboro Crime Stoppers.
