The plea agreement calls for consecutive prison terms totaling 15 years after the 2024 collision on Interstate 75.
WHITLEY COUNTY, Ky. — A Kentucky man pleaded guilty to manslaughter and wanton endangerment after driving a moped on an interstate while under the influence of alcohol and crashing in an incident that killed his girlfriend’s 10-year-old daughter.
Darius L. Wade entered the pleas July 20 to second-degree manslaughter and first-degree wanton endangerment. The agreement calls for a 10-year prison term on the manslaughter count and five years for wanton endangerment, with the sentences to run consecutively. His formal sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 21.
The case stems from an Aug. 4, 2024, collision on northbound Interstate 75 near the 26-mile marker in Whitley County. Kentucky State Police said Wade, then 31, was operating a 49.6cc moped with the girl riding as a passenger when a 2011 Kia Sportage struck the smaller vehicle.
Whitley County emergency dispatchers notified state police at about 11:18 p.m. Corbin police officers were already at the scene and reported that the crash involved serious injuries. Wade and the child were taken by ambulance to Baptist Health Corbin and later flown to the University of Kentucky hospital in Lexington.
The girl died from her injuries at the hospital, according to state police. Authorities did not publicly identify her in the reports reviewed for this article. The 43-year-old Indiana man driving the Kia was identified by police, but officials did not announce charges against him in the available reports.
State police said alcohol was suspected as a contributing factor in the collision. Investigators later charged Wade with murder and operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol. The original murder charge was resolved through the plea agreement for the lesser manslaughter offense.
Wade also faced allegations that he lacked a license to operate the moped and violated rules governing off-highway vehicles. Those charges were dismissed as part of the agreement, according to regional television station WKYT. The available reporting did not provide Wade’s explanation for entering the pleas or identify comments from his attorney.
The girl’s mother, Danisha Martin, was also prosecuted in connection with her daughter’s death. Police initially charged her with complicity to murder, alleging that she allowed the child to ride with Wade despite knowing he had a drinking problem. The charge was later reduced during the court proceedings.
Martin pleaded guilty to complicity to reckless homicide and was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Under the sentence described by local news reports, she must serve two years before the remaining portion is probated for five years. Martin previously said she did not believe Wade was intoxicated when he returned home and left on the moped with her daughter to get snacks.
Wade remains scheduled to appear for sentencing at 1 p.m. Sept. 21. The court must formally impose the punishment, although the plea agreement recommends consecutive terms totaling 15 years.
Author note: Last updated July 23, 2026.