Mother charged with vehicular homicide after 3-month-old son dies in fiery crash

LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE/Gray News ) – An infant who was critically injured in an early morning crash in the Louisville area has died and the mother faces multiple charges in connection with his death.

According to the Louisville Police Department, officers were called to the collision at Newburgh Road and East Indian Trail just before 5:40 a.m. Thursday.

Authorities said a Dodge Dart caught fire after rear-ending a Ford Escape.

Arriving police said they found a woman outside the Dodge holding a child and the car on fire.

Police said the woman, later identified as 18-year-old Lily Pena, suffered minor injuries, but the child, a 3-month-old infant, was seriously injured.

Paramedics took the child to Norton Children’s Hospital, but she died around 8:45 a.m.

The man driving the Ford told police he was running a red light when he saw a car “coming at him.” The collision ended with his SUV hitting the center of the grass.

The male driver told police that Peña was aggressive when they spoke after the crash. He also said she had shiny eyes and breath that smelled of alcohol, but appeared unsteady on her feet.

According to police, Pena told officers she drank 99 proof of alcohol around 10:00 p.m. the night before and took Adderall.

Pena was arrested and charged with vehicular homicide, aggravated intoxication and criminal mischief. She was booked into the Louisville Penitentiary.

During the booking, police obtained search warrants to draw Pena’s blood. A blood alcohol content test showed a .039, the arrest report said.

On Friday, Pena should be brought to court.

The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office is not releasing the child’s name at this time.