Laurel County man arrested after crash, deputies say driver left scene and was under the influence

LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — A Laurel County man is facing multiple charges after deputies say he crashed a vehicle into a utility pole and left the scene early Wednesday morning.

According to Laurel County Sheriff John Root, deputies arrested 50-year-old Brian Lee Byrd of EJ Lane in London around 12:48 a.m. following an investigation into a reported crash with injuries on Johnson Road, about four miles east of London.

Deputies say they were sent by London-Laurel County 911 Communications to the crash scene, where they found a gray Ford Taurus off the roadway in a field. Investigators say the vehicle appeared to have left the road and hit an electric utility pole, breaking the pole and causing power lines to fall into the roadway.

Officials say the car was unoccupied when deputies arrived. Witness information led investigators to believe a man wearing a long-sleeved blue shirt had walked away from the crash toward Hatcher Road.

According to the sheriff’s office, a detective later made contact with a man matching that description near Hatcher Road and determined he was the driver involved in the crash. Deputies say the man admitted leaving the vehicle and planned to return later.

During the investigation, deputies learned the driver’s license was allegedly suspended. Authorities also reported observing slurred speech, glassy eyes, and unsteady movement, leading them to believe the suspect was under the influence.

Brian Lee Byrd was charged with:

• Leaving the scene of an accident

• Operating a motor vehicle under the influence, second offense

• Criminal mischief, second-degree

• Operating on a suspended or revoked operator’s license

He was being held in the Laurel County Correctional Center. The investigation remains ongoing.