CROSSVILLE MAN CONVICTED OF MURDER IN DRUG-AND-ALCOHOL-FUELED CRASH
A Tennessee man, 47-year-old Joel Hammack from Crossville, was convicted on February 4, 2026, following a three-day trial in Casey County Circuit Court (after a venue change from Adair County).
He was found guilty of murder, two counts of first-degree assault, two counts of fourth-degree assault, and possession of marijuana; he was also determined to be a first-degree persistent felony offender, which enhanced his penalties. The convictions stem from a December 21, 2024, crash on the Columbia Bypass in Adair County, where Hammack was driving a Ford F-150 at a high rate of speed while under the influence of drugs and alcohol, rear-ending a Kia Sorento.
The collision killed 7-year-old Rose Morgan and injured four other occupants in the Kia, two of whom suffered serious injuries. The jury recommended the maximum penalty of life in prison for the murder and first-degree assault charges, along with maximum sentences for the other counts. Hammack’s formal sentencing is scheduled for March 2026.
Commonwealth Attorney Brian Wright emphasized that the case highlights the tragic consequences of impaired driving, underscoring the need for accountability to honor the victim and support affected families.
