Victim struck by firefighter’s SUV remains in critical condition; driver pleads not guilty

Sept. 22--Lexington firefighter Jara McCargo entered an initial not guilty plea Monday to charges that he drove his vehicle into a man on Euclid Avenue on Friday night.

The victim is identified in a police report as Noel Espino. Espino is listed in critical condition at the University of Kentucky Chandler Hospital.

McCargo, 35, is charged with DUI, leaving the scene of an accident, first-degree assault, and driving without insurance. The city has placed him on administrative leave.

McCargo's attorneys entered a not guilty plea in his behalf during a brief video arraignment Monday afternoon in Fayette District Court. District Judge T. Bruce Bell declined a request to reduce McCargo's bond from $13,050.

McCargo was being held at the Fayette County jail. His next court appearance has been scheduled for Friday morning.

The charges against McCargo stem from a crash outside The Beer Trappe bar at 811 Euclid Avenue just after 11 p.m. Friday.

According to police reports, McCargo backed his Ford Expedition over the curb, striking Espino and two other people outside The Beer Trappe and then crashing into the building. Police have not released names of the two other people who were hit. Police have said McCargo drove away shortly after his SUV crashed into the building.

Officers found McCargo's Ford Expedition later Friday evening, parked near Yellowstone Parkway. Police said they found McCargo hiding behind some garbage cans in a neighbor's yard.

Espino, who reportedly is in the U.S. military, had gone outside the bar to make a phone call when the accident occurred, according to Kevin Patterson, the Beer Trappe general manager.

AS many as 30 customers were outside the bar when the Expedition crashed through the front window, authorities said.

McCargo "readily admitted" wrecking and fleeing the scene, according to police.

Jim Warren: (859) 231-3255. Twitter: @hlpublicsafety.

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