A year-old jailhouse phone call has led to the indictment of Ricky A. Raider, an Ohio man, for a fatal collision on a Kentucky highway that killed 18-year-old University of Kentucky student Lauren Collins. The Boone County Sheriff’s Office announced Raider’s indictment on June 21.
The tragic accident occurred on July 16, 2023, when Collins, a rising sophomore and fashion merchandising major, was driving southbound near the Ohio border. A tire from Raider’s truck reportedly broke loose and crossed the highway’s concrete barrier, hitting Collins’ windshield. Despite being rushed to the hospital, Collins did not survive.
Raider, 37, reported to the Independence Police Department six days after the accident, admitting that he had lost a tire on the interstate but did not believe it had caused any harm. However, critical evidence emerged months later in the form of a recorded phone call Raider made to a female inmate at the Bullitt County Detention Center on the night of the collision.
In the call, Raider allegedly confessed to driving northbound in his 1993 Ford F-250 when the tire came off and struck Collins’ car. He admitted to witnessing the crash and acknowledged the likelihood that someone was injured or killed. This admission provided the key evidence needed by Sgt. Jeff Nagy of the Accident Reconstruction Unit to connect Raider to the fatal accident.
The grand jury’s indictment represents a significant step toward justice for Lauren Collins, demonstrating the importance of thorough investigation and the unexpected ways crucial evidence can surface.
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