A Kentucky man has pleaded guilty in connection with a fatal crash that claimed the life of his girlfriend’s 10-year-old daughter after he drove a moped while under the influence of alcohol on Interstate 75.
Darius Wade entered guilty pleas this week to second-degree manslaughter and first-degree wanton endangerment, according to local reports. The plea comes nearly two years after the fatal collision that originally led prosecutors to charge him with murder and driving under the influence.
Fatal Crash Happened on Interstate 75
The crash occurred on the night of Aug. 4, 2024, in Whitley County, Kentucky.
According to Kentucky State Police, Wade, who was 31 years old at the time, was driving a moped northbound on Interstate 75 with his girlfriend’s 10-year-old daughter riding as a passenger. Authorities have not publicly identified the child.
At approximately 11:20 p.m., a 2011 Kia Sportage driven by a 43-year-old man from Indiana was also traveling north on the interstate. Investigators said the SUV struck the moped, causing a devastating crash.
Emergency responders arrived at the scene and transported both Wade and the young girl to a nearby hospital before they were airlifted to another medical facility because of the severity of their injuries.
Child Dies, Wade Arrested
Despite emergency treatment, the 10-year-old girl died from the injuries she sustained in the crash.
Wade survived the collision and was later arrested. A booking photo released after his arrest showed him wearing a neck brace, reflecting injuries he suffered during the incident.
Following the investigation, Kentucky State Police charged Wade with:
- Murder
- Operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol
Plea Agreement Reduces Charges
Rather than proceed to trial, Wade accepted a plea agreement this week.
He pleaded guilty to:
- Second-degree manslaughter
- First-degree wanton endangerment
The guilty plea resolves the criminal case without a trial, although a judge will still determine his sentence.
Girl’s Mother Also Convicted
The child’s mother, Danisha Martin, also faced criminal charges related to the incident.
According to local reports, prosecutors argued Martin knew Wade had a drinking problem but nevertheless allowed her daughter to ride on the moped with him because she did not believe he was intoxicated at the time.
Martin ultimately pleaded guilty to complicity to reckless homicide and was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Under the terms of her sentence, she must serve at least two years behind bars before becoming eligible for probation, followed by five years of supervised probation.
Additional Violations
Investigators also determined Wade did not possess a valid license to operate the moped.
In addition to the criminal charges stemming from the child’s death, he was cited for apparent off-highway vehicle violations involving the moped.
Sentencing Set for September
Although Wade has admitted guilt, his punishment has not yet been finalized.
He is scheduled to appear in court for sentencing on Sept. 21, when a judge will determine the penalties for his convictions.
The case marks the conclusion of the criminal proceedings arising from the 2024 crash that claimed the life of a 10-year-old girl and resulted in convictions for both the moped driver and the child’s mother.
