Owen man killed at triathlon in Louisville

A Louisville man has pleaded not guilty to murder in connection with the death of an Owen County man during a triathlon Saturday.

Kenneth Yates, 25, is charged with murder, drunken driving, operating a motor vehicle on a suspended license, leaving the scene of an accident, fleeing and resisting arrest and assault on a police officer.

Yates is accused of hitting John Carr, 47, of Owen County, on Chamberlain Lane in Louisville, while the Owen County man was riding a bicycle as part of a triathlon being held at  E.P. “Tom” Sawyer State Park.

According to Louisville Metro Police Department Spokesperson Dwight Mitchell, Yates allegedly hit Carr from behind and continued on with the bike stuck in the vehicle’s windshield.

Yates was speeding at the time of the collision, police said.

Yates was stopped about a half of a mile away on Collins Road in Louisville by an off-duty police officer who was helping direct traffic for the triathlon.

Mitchell said Yates briefly fought with the officer before escaping.

Carr, who worked at the Toyota assembly plant in Georgetown, was very active in the Owen County religious community; many congregations offered their condolences to his widow, Sunni, and his children, Kyle, Jordan, Bethany, and Seth Carr.

John Carr served as music minister, evangelist and a Sunday school teacher at Caney Ridge Baptist Church.

Pastor Ed Wells said Carr had made a lasting impact on the church and the people around him with his deep faith and personality.

“He was faithful to our church and what we believe in,” Wells said. “I’ve known John a couple of years and consider him a personal friend. He will be sorely missed by everyone in the church.”

Wells said Carr showed his deep devotion and faith through his works.

“He was an inspiration in the choir,” Wells said. “There is an emptiness in the church right now. John was very respected. The Lord will eventually step in and fill what is needed at our church.”

Yates was already facing a DUI charge before Saturday’s incident.

In court Monday, Yates pleaded not guilty. His bond was set at $250,000 and another hearing was scheduled for Aug. 13.