On Monday, June 11, 2018, the Casey County Grand Jury returned an indictment charging John L. Whitaker, Jr., age 37, of Frankfort, with several criminal offenses resulting from an automobile collision that occurred in July 2017.
Whitaker was charged with one count of Manslaughter in the Second Degree; three counts of Assault in the First Degree; three counts of Assault in the Fourth Degree; and one count of Driving Under the Influence of Drugs (DUI), Second Offense, Aggravating Circumstance.
According to Commonwealth’s Attorney Brian Wright, the indictment alleges that Whitaker was operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs when he caused an automobile collision that resulted in the death of Phillip Tayler Dillon, age 26. The collision occurred on U.S. Highway 127 a few miles north of Liberty on July 8, 2017, and involved four separate vehicles. Dillon was operating a 1998 Chevrolet Blazer and died as a result of injuries sustained in the collision after his automobile was struck by a 2013 Ford Expedition being operated by Whitaker. Wright also stated that the assault charges are based on injuries which were sustained by others involved in the crash, including Jeffrey and Christy Sweet, both of Liberty, as well as Jordyn Harley, Monty Britton, and Whitaker’s two children – who were passengers in the Ford Expedition that Whitaker was operating.
This case was investigated by Kentucky State Police Trooper Adam Likins, who testified before the grand jury. Whitaker was arrested Tuesday afternoon (June 12, 2018) on the indictment warrant by officers with the Kentucky State Police - Post 12, Frankfort. Whitaker’s bond was set at $100,000 cash pending his arraignment in Casey Circuit Court.
