East Bernstadt man indicted on murder charge, other charges for Sept. traffic crash

Times-Tribune (Corbin, KY)

Jan. 19--LAUREL COUNTY -- An East Bernstadt man was indicted for murder--among other charges--by a Laurel County grand jury Friday stemming from September 2018 traffic crash that killed his mother and injured three others.

Chris L. Francis, 36, was named in a seven-count indictment for charges that allegedly occurred Sept. 5, 2018.

Count one of the indictment charges Francis with murder.

Count two and three of the indictment charges Francis with second-degree assault.

Count four of the indictment charges Francis with first-degree wanton endangerment.

Count five of the indictment charges Francis with operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicants -- third offense.

Count six of the indictment charges Francis with failure to maintain automobile insurance.

Count seven of the indictment charges Francis with second-degree persistent felony offender.

On the date listed in the indictment, Francis was operating a Toyota Camry traveling westbound on Hensley Road, where he crossed the centerline and into oncoming traffic, striking a GMC Terrain head-on. Francis sustained multiple injuries and was airlifted to the University of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington for treatment.

His mother, Holly Francis, 60, was a passenger in his vehicle at the time of the crash. She was transported to KentuckyOne Health St. Joseph London for treatment, but soon died as a result of the collision.

The driver of the GMC, listed in the indictment as Laura Allen, as well as a 10-year-old and an infant passenger were all injured. They were all transported to St. Joseph for treatment, though two were later moved to the UK Medical Center.

Chris Francis was allegedly under the influence of illegal narcotics at the time of the crash, with there being high levels of methamphetamine in his system, according to police.

He was arrested Nov. 19, 2018, after being released from the hospital and currently remains jailed in the Laurel County Correctional Center under a $100,000 cash bond.

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