Family of Man Killed in Louisville Hit-and-Run Wins New Sidewalk and Backs Tougher Penalties

A Louisville family mourning a son killed by a driver who fled the scene has won two commitments from officials: a new sidewalk at the site of the crash and a legislative proposal to toughen punishment for hit-and-run drivers.

Adam Troutman, 27, was struck and killed in April on Vaughn Mill Road. He had been walking along a section of the street that lacked a sidewalk. His father, Jason Troutman, has pressed for both safer infrastructure and stricter laws ever since.

Louisville Metro has approved $182,000 to build a sidewalk along the stretch of Vaughn Mill Road where Adam Troutman died. Construction is scheduled to start Monday. Jason Troutman said the new sidewalks and improved lighting are "an important step toward making this area safer for pedestrians and helping prevent another family from experiencing the loss that ours has incurred."

A suspect has been charged in the case. Aldwin Jackson, 30, faces counts of failing to render aid and tampering with evidence. He is on home incarceration while the case is pending, and it has been sent to a grand jury.

On the legislative side, Kentucky Rep. Chris Lewis, R-Louisville, plans to bring a bill that would raise the punishment for a driver who causes a fatal crash and then leaves without stopping to help or call for assistance. Under his proposal, the penalty would rise to 10 to 20 years in prison, compared with less than five years currently. "This is common sense," Lewis said.

Lewis argued that fleeing a crash has consequences beyond the collision itself. "Leaving the scene of an accident denies a seriously injured person the opportunity to receive life-saving medical care," he said. He added that it also makes it harder for law enforcement to investigate, determine whether impairment was involved and hold the responsible person accountable.

Lewis cited state police records showing that 27 people were killed and nearly 1,300 were injured in hit-and-run crashes in 2024.

Lawmakers are expected to take up the bill this winter. Jason Troutman said he often hears news of another pedestrian killed in a hit-and-run. "We believe that leaving the scene of a crash that takes someone's life must carry serious consequences," he said.

He said he hopes the efforts will make a difference. "If these efforts save even one life, prevent another family from enduring our pain or encourage someone to stay at the scene and take responsibility after a crash, then something meaningful can come from this tragedy," Troutman said.