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2 teens dead, 2 injured after car struck during pursuit in Hardin County

Shawn Welsh of Marion, W.Va. struck a car, killing two, while attempting to to cross the intersection of US 31-W and KY 434 during a pursuit.

RADCLIFF, Ky. — Kentucky State Police responded to a two-vehicle collision in Hardin Co. Saturday night where one driver, pursued by police, struck and killed two people in a car attempting to cross the street.

Shawn Welsh, 36, of Marion, W.Va. attempted to cross the intersection of US 31-W and KY 434, striking a 2000 Honda Accord attempting to cross US 31-W. The driver, Jacob Barber, 18, of Elizabethtown, was pronounced dead at the scene along with a 17-year-old in the passenger seat.

Two other juvenile passengers in the car were transported to Norton Children's Hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Welsh and the passenger in his car, Laura Neville, 36, were transported to Hardin Memorial Hospital with non-life threatening injuries, and later released into the custody of the Meade County Sheriff's Office.

Credit: Hardin County Detention Center
Laura Neville

Neville was charged with Possession of a controlled substance first degree (methamphetamine) and on a fugitive warrant.

WHAS11 News reached out to Hardin County Schools and staff confirms that Barber was a student in an accelerated graduation program at John Hardin High School.

Officials would not comment on the other three students who have not been ID’d by the police.

The principal of the school is in contact with grief counselors to have those resources available Monday for students and staff.

The investigation is still ongoing.

Hardin County Superintendent Teresa Morgan released the following statement on Monday morning:

“We are saddened about the loss of two members of the John Hardin High School family. Jacob Barber and senior Katarina Peeters passed away over the weekend in an automobile accident. Jacob had just graduated from Hardin County High School.

Katarina was a wonderful student that enjoyed her time in and out of the classroom. She was truly loved by family and friends. She was also a member of the school’s archery team. She had lots of potential and had a successful life in front of her.

Jacob was a leader and a young man that had a full and vibrant life ahead of him as well. He also was a wonderful student and was admired by his peers, his family, teachersand school staff.

The burden that these families now bear is overwhelming. Their worlds have been shaken to the core by the pain of this unspeakable tragedy. We encourage our community and the rest of the HCS family to keep these families in their thoughts and deepest concerns.

John Hardin High School principal Mark Wells constantly reiterates the importance of family with his students. He also reminds them often that even though they all have different last names, they are family. I am confident that the Bulldog family and that of Hardin County High will ban together and hold tight in their unbreakable bonds of love, courageand determination. I ask our Hardin County community to keep these students and staffs close to its heart.

Our district motto this year is #HCSStrongerTogether. We will all need each other to begin the healing process and nurture it through to completion. Our HCS family has a longstanding tradition of taking care of each other and providing love and support, especially in times like these.

Hardin County Schools has additional counselors available for students and staff for as long as they are needed.

We also know that two other John Hardin students were injured in the accident. We continue to think about them, their families and friends as they walk the road of recovery.

All of these families will have our continued support. Family takes care of each other and the HCS family will continue to share its love and support.”

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