Man charged with wanton endangerment after crash with unrestrained kids in car

Justin Marcum Justin Marcum

INEZ, Ky. — A Martin County man is facing felony charges, after police say he crashed his car after driving recklessly with two unrestrained young girls in his car.

Justin Marcum
Justin Marcum

The crash happened Friday afternoon on Blacklog Road. Witnesses told police Justin Marcum, 37, ran a stop sign when pulling onto the road, swerved in and out of traffic cutting off other cars, then hit a rock wall, causing his vehicle to flip.

Police say Marcum had his daughter and another girl in the car at the time, and neither of the girls were wearing seat belts.

Marcum’s daughter was ultimately sent to the University of Kentucky Chandler Medical Center in Lexington, due to a head injury and concussion. Marcum and the other girl were treated locally for minor injuries.

Marcum’s driver’s license was also suspended at the time of the crash. He has now been charged with two felony counts of wanton endangerment and several traffic violations.

Police have also charged Dotty Fletcher, 58, of Inez, with wanton endangerment, after they say she allowed the girls to ride with Marcum to McDonald’s, despite knowing they were unsecured and that he is currently under a court order prohibiting him from being alone with his daughter. Fletcher reportedly told police she allowed him to leave with the girls because she was in a hurry to get to a doctor’s appointment.

Both are scheduled to be arraigned on the charges next Tuesday.