Additional charges for brother involved in accident that killed NKY couple

MAYSVILLE, Ky. (WXIX) – New information has been released about one of the suspects following a further investigation into a crash that killed a Northern Kentucky couple and seriously injured another.

William Darnell, 38, and his brother Joshua Darnell, 41, both of Texas, were arrested Nov. 16 on multiple charges, according to the Mason County Sheriff’s Office.

On November 18, the sheriff’s office announced that Joshua was facing additional charges.

An updated Facebook post says Joshua provided law enforcement with identification belonging to his other brother, who was not involved in the crash.

Originally, the 41-year-old was charged with one count of alcohol poisoning in a public place and one count each of leaving the scene of an accident that resulted in the death of two people. The sheriff’s office said he now faces additional charges of providing false identification to an officer and identity theft.

Deputies also confirmed that Joshua has two active warrants out of Texas. FOX19 NOW reached out to the sheriff’s office for more information on this story.

A fatal multi-vehicle crash occurred on November 16 on Highway AA near the intersection with Slack Pike Road in Maysville, Kentucky.

The sheriff’s office identified A couple from northern Kentucky has died crash: Joshua Mark Wells, 39, and Latasha Kay Wells, 44, both of Germantown.

Joshua Wells (left) and his wife, 44-year-old Latasha Wells, died in an accident that took place on November 16... — Joshua Wells (left) and his wife, Latasha Wells, 44, died in a crash on Highway AA on Nov. 16 after they went Christmas shopping, according to family members.(Wells family members)

According to a previous FOX19 NOW story, William was driving a Nissan Xterra when he rear-ended the vehicle containing the Wells family.

The couple’s vehicle was pushed into the path of oncoming traffic driven by a 31-year-old woman, who was airlifted to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center with serious injuries.

Investigators discovered that William and his brother had been drinking the night of the crash and even found an open container in their vehicle that smelled of alcohol.

The citation says Joshua was later found hiding in a ditch “some distance from the scene of the collision.” After finding the man, he told officers that he was a passenger in the vehicle.

As for his brother, William faces multiple charges, including:

Vehicular homicide
Driving under the influence of alcohol
First degree attack
First degree wanton endangerment
Possession of marijuana
Failure to show your insurance card
Driving without a valid driving license
Having an open container in a motor vehicle
No registration certificate or plates

William Darnell (left) and Joshua Darnell (right) arrested after fatal multi-vehicle crash... — William Darnell (left) and Joshua Darnell (right) were arrested following the fatal crash on November 16.(Mason County Detention Center)

Both men are currently behind bars at the Mason County Detention Center.

William’s bail was set at $2.5 million and Joshua’s was updated to $75,000 cash.

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