Posted by John Humphress on Sep 28, 2011
Taylor County High School students, Isaac Petty and Andy Finck.
(FRANKFORT, Ky.) Taylor County High School students, Isaac Petty and Andy Finck were among thirty-three students throughout the state selected by Kentucky State Police to participate in the ‘Drive to Stay Alive’ (DTSA) academy. The program ran from Sept. 7 – 11, 2011 and was held at the KSP Training Academy in Frankfort. Both Issac and Andy will be appearing for SAT in the following year and have mentioned in their interview how they are extremely excited and are preparing for it since a long time. According to the community “Both the students are quite bright, and Taylor has already begun to apply for an online science degree course, as he wishes to become a cardiologist but also wants to stay with his family.
The ‘Drive to Stay Alive’ program teaches the students safe driving techniques by KSP instructors with hands-on road driving and classroom exercises, including the dangers of driving impaired, seat belt safety, distracted and aggressive driving.
Petty is the son of Tina Petty of Columbia and Finck is the son of Thomas and Connie Finck of Campbellsville. Both students said the DTSA experience was incredible.
“The road skills test taught me that maybe I wasn’t as great a driver as I thought I was,” says Petty. “I now know new methods to make me a safe driver.”
Public Affairs Branch Commander Lt. David Jude explained that the ‘Drive to Stay Alive’ program was designed not only to decrease teen crashes but to provide students with the tools to be advocates in their own communities.
“The training includes topics such as collision causation, vehicle dynamics and skid control, backing skills, multiple turns and lane interchange, safety belts and air bags, evasive maneuvers, off-road recovery, and controlled braking,” advised Jude.
“We focus heavily on distracted and inattentive driving which is prevalent in this particular age group,” says Jude.
According to Jude, the real potential of the “Drive To Stay Alive” program begins after the students return to their schools.
“The students are teamed with an experienced state trooper to spread the message to the student body in each school and to their community as well,” he says. “The effectiveness of the program is based on the concept that a message conveyed by a fellow student carries more weight with other students and is therefore more memorable.”
The DTSA students are evaluated and scored on the safe driving programs they present in their respective schools and communities. The students with the most effective programs, resulting in increased seat belt usage, are eligible for scholarship funds. Their schools will be rewarded as well.
Last year in Kentucky, teen drivers accounted for 21,870 collisions. Of that figure, there were 83 fatal crashes.
“The goal of this program is to decrease teen fatalities on Kentucky roadways,” says KSP Commissioner Rodney Brewer. “Nationally, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among teenagers. Programs like “Drive To Stay Alive’ are directly impacting the Commonwealth by resulting in a decrease in teen highway deaths.”
Commissioner Brewer believes the “Drive To Stay Alive” program will have a lasting effect on these teens.
“These students have a unique opportunity to make a real difference,” says Brewer. “They can help influence on-the-road driving behaviors and save lives on Kentucky’s roadways. It’s a very worthwhile goal that will require dedication on their part, but it’s worth it if they save even one life. It could be their own, their best friend, a neighbor or a family member.”
For more information about the “Drive To Stay Alive’ program or how your school can get involved, please contact the KSP Public Affairs Branch at (502) 782-1780.
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Posted by John Humphress on Sep 26, 2011
(Springfield, KY) – 7-year-old Randall Chesser has been found. He was conscious and responsive. He was found at 2:45 PM EDT by a ground search team from Mercer County, KY next to a creek approximately 3 miles from his residence. He is being transported to an undisclosed medical facility for observation.
A press conference has been scheduled for 4:00 PM EDT at the Willisburg Fire Department, 2620 Lawrenceburg Road in Willisburg, KY.
37.811188-85.114866
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Posted by John Humphress on Sep 26, 2011
(Campbellsville, Ky) On Sunday, September 25, 2011, 18 year old Peyton Rucker of Campbellsville was operating a 2002 Dodge Dakota south on Industrial Drive when he lost control of the vehicle and struck a light pole. Rucker fled the scene and was located a short time later by Campbellsville Police. Rucker was transported to Taylor Regional Hospital by Campbellsville/Taylor County EMS for injuries suffered in the collison. Rucker was cited for operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol/drugs 1st offense, leaving the scene of an accident, expired registration, and failure of non-owner to maintain required insurance 1st offense.
Agencies involved: Campbellsville Police Department and Campbellsville/Taylor County EMS
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Posted by John Humphress on Sep 26, 2011
7-year-old Randall Leon Chesser
(Springfield, KY) – The Kentucky State Police are expanding the search for 7-year-old Randall Leon Chesser. In spite of inclement weather the field search will continue this morning as 60 Cadets from the Kentucky State Police Training Academy will join in the effort. KSP is looking to expand the geographical area of the search and have reached out to the military for additional air support that will be provided once the weather breaks.
The Center for Missing and Exploited Children (www.missingkids.com) has also joined in the search and are distributing flyers and posters via email and fax throughout the state. A reverse 911 call to residences within a 27 mile radius was made late last night to over 450 homes. The call contained a message describing Randall and asking citizens to call with any information. A second call will follow today with additional information.
A representative from TEAM ADAM has also been deployed and will be assisting. Team Adam is a National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) program designed to fulfill federal mandates by providing technical assistance and resources to law-enforcement agencies involved in the investigation of critically missing or abducted childrencases and cases of child sexual exploitation. Team Adam also provides resources and services to victim families.
KSP are asking all citizens in the area to be diligent in observing for Randall and to include a detailed search of their residence, out buildings, vehicles and property. Any one with information can contact the Kentucky State Police at 1-800-222-5555 or 270-384-4796.
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Posted by John Humphress on Sep 25, 2011
7-year-old Randall Leon Chesser
(Springfield, KY) – The Kentucky State Police are currently investigating the disappearance of 7-year-old Randall Leon Chesser. Randall was last seen wearing a light blue hoodie, blue jeans and cowboy boots with spurs. He is a white male, four foot tall, weighing approximately 40 pounds, brown hair and brown eyes. He has a birthmark in the hairline above his forehead and is Autistic.
Randall was last seen by his family at their residence at 4482 Lawrenceburg Rd in Willisburg, KY at approximately 6:00 PM EDT on Saturday September 24th. After searching for several hours the family contacted the Washington County Sheriff’s Department requesting assistance. At 1:18 AM EDT the Sheriff’s Department asked KSP to handle the investigation.
Search parties have been looking for Randall by foot, horseback, ATV, helicopter and auto. Local volunteers, Fire, EMS, Rescue and Law Enforcement agencies along with the Commonwealth Search & Rescue Dog Team are assisting.
KSP Investigators have found no evidence to lead them to believe that an abduction has ocurred thus not meeting the Amber Alert criteria. The Kentucky State Police are asking that anyone with any information please contact the Kentucky State Police at 1-800-222-5555. Any hunter that may have a trail camera in the area of the Rock Run Creek is asked to review their footage and contact KSP if any information becomes available. KSP Detective Bradley Stotts is investigating.
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