Tragic Drag Racing Incident Claims Life on Bardstown Road
In a shocking incident on Bardstown Road, a high-speed drag racing event ended in tragedy, leaving one woman dead and another man seriously injured. On Friday, October 25, 2024, just after 1:00 p.m., Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) responded to reports of a catastrophic crash involving multiple vehicles. Eyewitness accounts and police investigations indicate that Yusnir Pacheco Bernal, 42, was driving a 2020 Ford Mustang at a staggering speed of nearly 120 mph while drag racing against a blue BMW, driven by Adam Steele.
The two drivers were engaged in reckless behavior in the 9100 block of Bardstown Road when the Mustang collided with a 2021 Toyota RAV4, which was attempting to make a turn from Bardstown Falls Road. Emergency responders arrived promptly at the scene and worked tirelessly to free the victims trapped inside the Toyota. The RAV4 was occupied by a man and a 77-year-old woman named Lorraine Wacker, who, tragically, succumbed to her injuries at the scene.
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While Wacker's family mourns the sudden loss of their loved one, the man in the Toyota was rushed to the hospital with serious injuries. Pacheco Bernal, the sole occupant of the Mustang, was taken to the University of Louisville Hospital for treatment before being booked at the Louisville Metro Department of Corrections. He now faces multiple charges, including murder, assault, wanton endangerment, and speeding, as well as driving with an expired license.
In a court appearance on Monday, October 28, Pacheco Bernal was assigned a $250,000 bond. Meanwhile, Adam Steele, the driver of the BMW, was also arrested and charged with wanton endangerment, leaving the scene of an accident, tampering with evidence, and reckless driving. Steele received a bond of $150,000 during his court hearing on the same day.
The aftermath of this horrific event has ignited conversations about safety on Bardstown Road. Local resident David Reynolds expressed his frustration and concern over the frequent speeding incidents in the area. He emphasized the need for increased police presence and improved traffic light systems to prevent such devastating accidents from occurring in the future. "It’s a very bad stretch of road for speeding," Reynolds remarked. "We need to see some changes made."
As the LMPD Traffic Unit continues its investigation into the crash, the community grapples with the reality of a preventable tragedy that could have been avoided. With emotions running high and calls for action growing louder, this incident serves as a painful reminder of the consequences of reckless driving and the urgent need for enhanced traffic safety measures.
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