Ballard County authorities have arrested a local man in connection with a fatal hit-and-run that killed a 67-year-old pedestrian in late April, ending a weeks-long investigation that drew significant community attention.
The Ballard County Sheriff's Office announced the arrest of Calvin Roy Strickland, 34, of LaCenter, on May 21st. Strickland faces charges of leaving the scene of an accident involving death, a Class C felony in Kentucky, as well as operating a motor vehicle under the influence and tampering with physical evidence.
The victim, Harold E. Nance of Bandana, was struck on the evening of April 27th while walking along State Route 473 near Kevil. He was pronounced dead at the scene. No arrests were made at the time.
Investigators from the Ballard County Sheriff's Office and Kentucky State Police Post 1 used paint transfer evidence to identify the suspect vehicle as a dark-coloured pickup truck. A public tip helped narrow the search to Strickland's 2019 Chevrolet Silverado, found at a private residence with significant front-end damage. KSP forensic examination confirmed the paint transfer and debris matched trace evidence found near Nance's body.
Strickland was held on a $50,000 cash bond. His arraignment is scheduled before Ballard Circuit Court Judge Christopher Mehler on June 2nd.
Nance's family issued a brief statement expressing gratitude to investigators and community members who provided tips. "Harold was a kind man who walked that road every evening," the statement read. "We are grateful justice is moving forward."
Leaving the scene of an accident involving death carries a sentence of five to ten years in Kentucky.