MEAWW.COM / NEWS / SPORTS

Who is Ava Jones? Teen basketball star, mom hospitalized as dad dies in deadly car crash

Michael Hurley was driving through downtown Louisville and when he tried to make a left turn, his car drifted off the road and struck the four Jones family members

Ava Jones, a teenage basketball star, and her mother are both in critical condition after being hit by a suspected drunk driver in Kentucky. According to the Louisville Courier-Journal, the tragedy happened on Tuesday, July 5, in the heart of Louisville. After the tragic event, Ava, her mother Amy, and her father William were taken to the University of Louisville Hospital immediately. The event left Ava's younger brother with minor injuries, and he was transferred to Norton Children's Hospital.

Sadly, Ava's father, William "Trey" Jones III, died at the hospital on Thursday, July 7, from his wounds. Last week, Ava's grandma, Mary Jones, said, "Ava is stable but critical. Amy is stable but critical, too, but Amy’s got a lot of things going. They’re both still on a [ventilator]. They’re trying to get Ava off, but it’s a process. Just slow going." According to the Louisville Metropolitan Police Department, the driver who struck the Jones family has since been identified as 33-year-old Michael Hurley of Lexington, Indiana.

ALSO READ

'Isn’t she too old for that?': Jessica Simpson SLAMMED for letting daughter Birdie, 3, use pacifier

Uproar after judge frees rapist claiming victim's open restroom door was invitation for sex

Hurley was detained on the spot and charged on the spot with four charges of first-degree assault, DUI, and a license possession infraction. Hurley was subsequently charged with murder when William died on Thursday, July 7. According to the LMPD's police report, Hurley was driving through downtown Louisville on Tuesday, July 5,  when he tried to make a left turn, his car drifted off the road and struck the four Jones family members.

Although alcohol was not involved in the devastating incident, the 33-year-old driver reportedly told the LMPD that he had taken hydrocodone, an opioid mostly used to treat pain and as a cough suppressant, which made him ‘so tired that he could not make the turn.’ Hurley entered a not guilty plea during an arraignment hearing on Wednesday, July 6 the day following the collision. He was imprisoned and given a $500,000 bond while he awaits his trial on the seven accusations.

Meanwhile, according to PEOPLE, the Jones family left their home in Nickerson, Kansas on Tuesday, July 5, to go to Louisville for a basketball tournament that Ava was supposed to play in with the rest of her squad. A candlelight vigil for the Jones family's recovery was held at Nickerson High School on July 10 with the participation of teachers, students, staff members, and friends. The event was held on a recently built track in Ava's father's honor, who served as both the Kansas school's track coach and a teacher.

TOP STORIES

IS THIS WHEN IT BEGAN? James Webb telescope releases stunning image nearly 13 BILLION years old

'There is no official definition': WOKE Church of England refuses to define the term 'woman'

Principal of Nickerson High School Rick Blosser announced to the audience that Trey's essential organs were being harvested at the University of Louisville Hospital. Meanwhile, through a GoFundMe campaign, more than $109,692 has been raised as of now for the Jones family to cover their medical costs and aid in their recovery from the sad tragedy they were forced to endure.