A Kentucky father has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after his 15-month-old son died in a motorcycle crash that police said happened while the toddler was strapped to his chest.
Joseph Traylor, 50, of Princeton, Kentucky, was sentenced Friday in Caldwell Circuit Court in connection with the July 2024 death of his son, Terry Desmond Traylor.
Traylor had originally faced a murder charge.
In July, however, he pleaded guilty to an amended charge of vehicular homicide while under the influence of drugs or other substances.
He also pleaded guilty to reckless driving and operating a motor vehicle under the influence under aggravating circumstances.
The case began on the evening of July 5, 2024.
Princeton Police said Traylor was riding a motorcycle in the 300 block of Beverly Lane with 15-month-old Terry strapped against his chest.
Investigators said Traylor was traveling the wrong way on a one-way street when he attempted to perform a wheelie.
He lost control of the motorcycle and crashed into a telephone pole, according to police.
Emergency crews transported both father and son to Caldwell Medical Center.
Terry was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Traylor survived the crash and was later flown to Skyline Medical Center in Nashville for additional treatment.
Police arrested him after he was released from the hospital.
A Caldwell County grand jury later indicted Traylor on charges of murder, reckless driving and DUI.
He initially pleaded not guilty before eventually reaching a plea agreement with prosecutors.
At Friday’s sentencing hearing, Commonwealth’s Attorney Carrie Ovey-Wiggins told the court that the case involved the death of a very young child and had caused deep pain for Terry’s family.
She asked Circuit Judge Jamus Redd to follow the plea agreement and impose the full 20-year sentence.
Traylor was given an opportunity to address the court but declined to speak.
Judge Redd said he had reviewed the pre-sentence investigation and noted that Traylor was not eligible for probation or shock probation.
The judge also said Traylor must serve 85% of his sentence before becoming eligible for parole.
Redd described the case as a terrible tragedy and said he hoped the sentencing could provide at least some measure of closure for those affected. WPKY
Terry was born in March 2023.
His obituary remembered him for his “infectious smile” and described his brief life as a blessing to those who knew him.
He was survived by his mother, Adrianna Lewis, as well as several siblings and other family members.
The 20-year sentence formally closes the criminal case more than two years after the crash.
