13-year-old driver dead after “joy ride”

BARBOURVILLE, Ky. (WTVQ) – Police say a 13-year-old driver is dead and a 14-year-old passenger is recovering after the vehicle they were traveling in crashed in Knox County.

According to State Police, the two were out on a joy ride early this morning when things turned deadly.  Hopper Funeral Home in Barbourville says the driver was 13-year-old Jathan Patterson.  He was pronouced dead on the scene by the Knox Co. Coroner.

State Police say an officer with Barbourville’s police department saw a Nissan Altima driving on KY 3439 with no headlights around 2:20 a.m.  Before that officer was able to pull over the vehicle, police say it went off the left shoulder, overturning and ejecting Patterson and a 14-year-old female passenger.  According to investigators, the female passenger had non-life threatening injuries.  She was originally transported to a local hospital, but as of this afternoon was moved to UK Hospital.

State Police say neither of the victims were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash.