Driver charged in DUI crash killing University of Kentucky student on LaGrange Road

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) - The driver involved in a head-on collision on LaGrange Road and North Hurstbourne Parkway that killed one man and injured two other people has been charged.

Joseph Siami, 27, was charged with operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol in relation to the crash on Nov. 27.

According to Chief Grady Throneberry with the Graymoor-Devondale Police Department, officers responded to LaGrange Road at the ramp to North Hurstbourne around 2:23 a.m. on reports of a collision.

Officers had found that a BMW and a Honda were involved in a head-on collision at the location.

Siami, the driver of the BMW, was not injured. There were three individuals inside of the Honda who were all taken to University Hospital for treatment of their injuries.

Two of the passengers were expected to survive. Another passenger, later identified as 20-year-old Chase Lawson of Crestwood, later died at the hospital due to his injuries.

Chase Lawson was a sophomore at the University of Kentucky and was a 2020 graduate of South... — Chase Lawson was a sophomore at the University of Kentucky and was a 2020 graduate of South Oldham High School, family told WAVE 3 News.(Family Photo)

Lawson was a sophomore at the University of Kentucky and was a 2020 graduate of South Oldham High School, family told WAVE 3 News.

An arrest report confirmed Siami told police he had three alcoholic drinks earlier that night. Police said Siami had bloodshot eyes and slurred speech.

Siami was placed under arrest after testing .137% blood alcohol content on a breathalyzer test, according to the report. Kentucky’s legal limit is .08% BAC.

Police sent Siami to University of Louisville’s emergency room after requesting an independent blood draw.