Sheriff: DUI crash disturbs bees

LONDON, Ky. (WTVQ) – The Laurel Co. Sheriff says that a DUI crash awoke a hive of yellow jacket bees, who proceeded to sting the driver and his passenger several times.

The Sheriff says deputies received a call at about 9:40 p.m. about an out-of-control man on Patton Spur Road.  On the way there, deputies say they learned that a purple Chevrolet Tracker had hit a utility pole in the same area.  When they arrived, deputies say they found a man spraying himself with a water hose, complaining of being stung.  Investigators say after questioning the man, they discovered that he was the driver of the Chevrolet, and that the accident had disturbed the hive.

A woman in the car had also been stung several times, and deputies say she, as well, had run through the neighborhood, chased by bees.  Deputies say they also discovered both the driver and his passenger were under the influence, with the woman admitting that they both had taken several drugs, including Subaxone, Neurontin, and Klonopin.

36-year-old Noah Elkins was charged with DUI and numerous other traffic violations.  35-year-old Priscilla Simpson, the passenger, was charged with public intoxication.

Both were taken to St. Joseph Hospital London for treatment.