A Princeton, Kentucky, father has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after his 15-month-old son died in a motorcycle crash in which prosecutors said the child was strapped to his father’s chest.
Joseph Traylor was sentenced Friday in Caldwell Circuit Court in connection with the July 5, 2024, crash that killed his son, Terry Desmond Traylor. Traylor had originally faced a murder charge but later reached a plea agreement with prosecutors.
Under the agreement, Traylor pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide while under the influence of drugs or other substances. He also pleaded guilty to reckless driving and driving under the influence under aggravating circumstances.
Crash happened on Beverly Lane
The crash occurred at about 6:45 p.m. in the 300 block of Beverly Lane in Princeton.
Investigators determined that Traylor was riding a motorcycle the wrong way on a one-way street while Terry was strapped to his chest. Police said Traylor attempted a wheelie, lost control of the motorcycle and struck a telephone pole.
Both father and son were taken to Caldwell Medical Center after the crash. Terry was pronounced dead there, while Traylor was treated for his injuries and later flown to a hospital in Nashville.
Traylor was arrested after he was released from the hospital.
The case remained active for more than two years before the sentencing. In September 2024, a Caldwell County grand jury indicted Traylor on murder, reckless driving and DUI charges. He later entered the plea agreement that reduced the most serious charge.
Judge says case was a “horrible tragedy”
During Friday’s sentencing hearing, Circuit Judge Jamus Redd said he had reviewed the pre-sentence investigation report. The judge noted that Traylor was not eligible for probation or shock probation.
Redd also said Traylor will have to serve 85% of his 20-year sentence before becoming eligible for parole.
When given an opportunity to speak before sentencing, Traylor declined.
Commonwealth’s Attorney Carrie Ovey-Wiggins told the court that Terry’s death had deeply affected the family and asked the judge to follow the agreed-upon 20-year sentence.
Judge Redd described the case as a horrible tragedy and said he hoped the sentence could provide some measure of closure for those affected, while acknowledging that the loss may never be fully resolved for the family.
The judge ordered Traylor to serve the sentence in the custody of the Kentucky Department of Corrections. Fines associated with the two lesser counts were suspended.
Terry remembered by his family
Terry Desmond Traylor was born in March 2023 and was just 15 months old when he died.
His obituary described him as a child whose infectious smile brought joy to those around him. Terry is survived by his mother, father, siblings and extended family in the Princeton area.
For the family, the sentencing closes the criminal case surrounding Terry’s death, but it cannot undo the loss of a child whose life ended before he had the chance to grow up.
The case remains a painful reminder of how quickly a dangerous decision on the road can have irreversible consequences.
