Julie Willis, 52, is accused of slamming her Jeep into an 18-year-old teenager who was riding a motorized pocket bike home from his job at a Louisville coffee shop before fleeing the scene and filing a false police report claiming her vehicle had been stolen, according to the Louisville Metro Police Department.
Background
The collision occurred at approximately midnight at the intersection of Dixie Highway and Valley Station Road in Louisville, Kentucky. Kingston Maestas was commuting home from his job at 7 Brew, a drive-thru coffee establishment, when Willis allegedly struck him with her 2017 Jeep Renegade, authorities said.
According to investigators, witnesses reported seeing Willis return home shortly after the crash. She allegedly told someone she had been involved in an accident with a "motorcycle" and left the scene "because she was scared."
"They left his shoes at the scene which was the only reason we (parents) were able to identify him from the crash site," according to a GoFundMe page established to help cover Maestas's medical expenses.
The teen suffered catastrophic injuries including a collapsed lung, torn spleen, and damaged arteries. He was rushed to an area hospital and placed in the intensive care unit before eventually being released.
"He works his butt off" at 7 Brew, according to the fundraiser, which states Maestas "put all his hard earned money" into his motorized bike.
The Investigation
Louisville Metro Police Department investigators worked to identify the suspect vehicle. Authorities determined Willis was driving the Jeep Renegade registered to her boyfriend when she allegedly struck Maestas.
"The driver left the scene with him laying in the road," the GoFundMe campaign states, noting that Maestas's bike and phone were also apparently stolen from the crash site.
Five days after the collision, investigators arrested Willis. Police said she moved the Jeep from her residence and then contacted law enforcement to falsely report the vehicle had been stolen—allegedly in an attempt to create the impression that someone else was driving when the accident occurred.
The vehicle was recovered three days later. Jail records reviewed by Law&Crime indicate Willis has been booked into the Louisville Metro Department of Corrections.
The Charges
Willis faces multiple charges including leaving the scene or failing to render aid in an accident involving death or serious physical injury, tampering with physical evidence, falsely reporting an incident to law enforcement, speeding 20 mph over the posted limit, fraudulent insurance acts, and operating a motor vehicle without a valid license.
She was scheduled for arraignment on Thursday morning, according to reports.
Key Takeaways
- Kingston Maestas, 18, was riding his motorized pocket bike home from work at 7 Brew when he was struck by Julie Willis's Jeep Renegade around midnight
- Willis allegedly fled the scene without rendering aid and later filed a false police report claiming her vehicle was stolen
- The teen sustained life-threatening injuries including a collapsed lung, torn spleen, and damaged arteries
- Investigators arrested Willis five days after the crash following witness statements and vehicle identification
- She faces six charges including leaving the scene of an accident causing serious physical injury and falsely reporting a crime
What's Next
Willis is expected to be formally arraigned on the charges filed against her. The case remains under investigation as prosecutors prepare for potential indictment proceedings.