Times-Tribune Staff Report
Jessie Phillip Wagers of Gray has been charged with murder and lodged in the Whitley County jail after a July 13 traffic crash that killed Knox Countian Mike Hensley, 51.
Wagers, 22, was also charged with first-degree driving under the influence of alcohol and reckless driving as the result of a collision of his Chevrolet Blazer, heading southbound on KY 229, about three miles from the intersection with US 25E.
Wagers allegedly moved across the center line into the northbound lane and struck Hensley’s Chevrolet pick-up truck head-on.
Artemus firefighters and emergency medical service crews had to free both drivers from their trucks.
Hensley was taken to Knox County Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Wagers, arrested Wednesday by Knox County Sheriff’s Deputy Gary Bays, sustained multiple injuries to his legs and was flown to the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville.
Bond for Wagers has not been set.
