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Death Investigation In Lawrence County

(Ashland, KY) - On Friday, August 24th, 2007, the Lawrence County Grand Jury returned a "no true bill" finding in its investigation into the deaths of Marinda Perry, 17 and Kristi Blevins, 17, both of Louisa. Perry and Blevins died as a result of injuries sustained in an April 25th, 2007 traffic collision on KY 2565 in Lawrence County. Blevins and Perry's vehicle was struck head-on by another car operated by James C. Preece of Louisa. Preece claimed to have suffered a heart attack that led to a loss of control of his vehicle and the fatal collision that followed. Investigators examined medical records, including toxicology results, associated with Preece's treatment after the crash. While the presence of small quantities of some prescription drugs was discovered, there was no evidence that Preece was impaired by them at the time of the crash. The KSP's investigation revealed conclusive evidence that Preece had, in fact, suffered a heart attack at around the time of the collision, as he had claimed to investigators. The investigation was conducted with the cooperation of the Kentucky State Medical Examiner's Office, along with several other involved EMS providers and medical facilities. The Grand Jury's decision was rendered after hearing testimony by Lieutenant Sean Welch of the Kentucky State Police Post in Ashland.