Jacob R. Heil, an 18-year-old freshman student at the University of Kentucky, has been charged with DUI after striking a four-year-old boy near Kroger Field where the Wildcats were playing Murray State on Saturday, Sept. 15. The four-year-old boy has since passed away from his injuries suffered in the accident.
According to reports, the child, Marco Lee Shemwell, was waiting to cross the street when Heil’s car “veered off the road a little bit” and struck the boy. Shemwell later died at UK Healthcare’s Kentucky Children’s Hospital.
After the accident, a police report says Heil had “a strong odor of alcoholic beverages, red bloodshot watery eyes and showed signs of impairment on field sobriety tests,” according to WKYT.
One witness described the incident to Kentucky.com:
Game-goer Bryce Howard of Richmond left the game early and was near Cooper when he heard what sounded like a gunshot. “We saw this little boy on the ground, and people were already gathered around trying to help,” he said.
Kentucky football coach Mark Stoops took to social media to address the incident. He wrote, “Thoughts and prayers go out to the young boy hit by a car today.”
Thoughts and prayers go out to the young boy hit by a car today.
— Mark Stoops (@UKCoachStoops) September 15, 2018
“In reflecting on tonight’s tragedy, SGA will be looking into solutions for transportation and other saftey issues associated with game days,” the university’s student government said in a statement on social media. “Your input is always welcome: [email protected] Our thoughts are with the young boy and his family.”
In reflecting on tonight’s tragedy, SGA will be looking into solutions for transportation and other saftey issues associated with game days. Your input is always welcome: [email protected]
Our thoughts are with the young boy and his family. #BBN
— UK StudentGovernment (@uksga) September 16, 2018
The national office of Alpa Tau Omega said that Heil was a pledge at the fraternity chapter at the University of Kentucky but he has since been suspended.
Lexington Police say that the investigation is ongoing. If you witnessed the crash you are asked to call Lexington Police.
