Ashland man charged in fatal accident

ASHLAND -- One man was killed and his young passenger was severely injured Friday night when they were hit by a truck that police say was driven by a man who was intoxicated.

The accident happened just before 9:30 p.m. on Blackburn Avenue in Ashland. The man who was killed and the juvenile were on a motorcycle, but their names are not being released.

Ashland Police Department Sergeant Tim Renfroe said Billy J. Barker, 21, of Ashland faces charges of operating a motor vehicle under the influence of intoxicants. Renfroe said he could face additional charges if the case is brought before a grand jury.

Police are still investigating, but preliminary reports say Barker crossed the center line and hit the motorcycle head on. Barker was not injured. The driver of the motorcycle was dead when emergency crews arrived on scene. Officials said the young passenger was taken to a Huntington hospital.