PRINCETON, KY. (THECOUNT) — Joseph Traylor, 50, of Princeton, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for the death of his 15-month-old son, Terry Desmond Traylor, who was killed when his father crashed a motorcycle while attempting a wheelie with the child strapped to his chest in Caldwell County, Kentucky.
Traylor was sentenced Friday in Caldwell Circuit Court after pleading guilty in July to an amended charge of vehicular homicide while under the influence of drugs or substances, along with reckless driving and operating a motor vehicle under the influence under aggravating circumstances, according to local reports.
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Traylor initially faced a murder charge in connection with his son’s death, but prosecutors agreed to reduce the charge as part of the plea agreement.
The case stems from a July 5, 2024 crash in the 300 block of Beverly Lane in Princeton, approximately 170 miles southwest of Louisville. Police said Traylor was operating a motorcycle the wrong way on a one-way street with Terry secured against his chest when he attempted a wheelie.
Traylor lost control of the motorcycle and struck a telephone pole. The crash occurred at approximately 6:45 p.m.
Both Traylor and his son were transported by ambulance to Caldwell Medical Center following the crash. Terry was pronounced dead at the hospital, while Traylor was later flown to Skyline Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee, for treatment. He was arrested after being released from the hospital.
According to prosecutors, Terry’s death has had a profound impact on his family.
During Friday’s sentencing hearing, Circuit Judge Jamus Redd said he had reviewed the pre-sentence investigation report and determined Traylor was not eligible for probation or shock probation. Redd ordered Traylor to serve 20 years in the custody of the Kentucky Department of Corrections.
Traylor must serve 85 percent of the sentence before becoming eligible for parole, according to the sentencing report.
Traylor was given an opportunity to address the court before sentencing but declined to speak.
Commonwealth’s Attorney Carrie Ovey-Wiggins asked the court to follow the 20-year sentence called for under the plea agreement, citing the death of the young child and its continuing impact on the family.
Redd described the case as a horrible tragedy and said he hoped the sentence would provide the family with some measure of closure, while acknowledging that full closure may not be possible for those affected.
Terry’s death had initially resulted in a murder indictment. In September 2024, a Caldwell County grand jury issued a true bill charging Traylor with murder, reckless driving and DUI after investigators determined he had been traveling the wrong way on the one-way street and attempting the wheelie before losing control.
The circumstances surrounding the crash drew particular attention because the toddler was secured to his father’s chest while the motorcycle was being operated. Police said the investigation established that Traylor was attempting the wheelie when he lost control and struck the pole.
Terry’s obituary remembered the toddler for his “infectious smile” and described his memory as one that would remain with his devoted family following his brief life.
The sentencing brings the criminal case stemming from the fatal 2024 crash to a conclusion, with Traylor now facing a lengthy prison term for the circumstances that led to his son’s death.
Princeton is located in Caldwell County in western Kentucky, approximately 30 miles west of Hopkinsville and about 170 miles southwest of Louisville. The fatal crash occurred on Beverly Lane in the Princeton area.
Google Maps: 300 Beverly Lane, Princeton, KY
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