Man Charged With Murder After Fatal Accident

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Posted: 2:00 PM Oct 4, 2008
Last Updated: 3:03 AM Oct 6, 2008
Reporter: Peter O'Connor
Email Address: peter.oconnor@wymtnews.com

30 comments

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New information in a murder investigation stemming from a fatal accident Friday night.

Jonathan Pente of Floyd County is behind bars, charged with murder and leaving the scene of an accident that claimed the life of 63 year old Loretta Elswick. Police now suspect Pente was driving under the influence.

Police think Jonathan Pente was trying to turn left onto Highway 979 in Harold Friday night. Instead, they say he drove into oncoming traffic and crashed into a van carrying four people.

"At this time, it is suspected that alcohol and drugs may have been involved in the collision and we are waiting on those toxicology reports," said Scott Hopkins with the Kentucky State Police.

The impact killed 63 year old Loretta Elswick of Pike County. Funeral arrangements are not set yet.

Pente is being held at the Floyd County Detention Center on a $500,000 cash bond. Detectives say although he is charged with murder and leaving the scene of an accident. They say Pente could face even more charges.

"I suspect we are going to have at least at the minimum three assault charges coming out of the other passengers. We should have some traffic charges," said Eddie Crum with the Kentucky State Police.

Police also plan to check both vehicles' black boxes.

"We can obtain information from those newer vehicles that will give them some information indicating what happened just prior to all collisions," Hopkins said.

Police say that report will be done sometime this week.

The driver of the van was in fair condition at last check. The condition of the two other passengers is unknown.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: harold on Nov 8, 2008 at 12:36 PM
i know this guy and he would not to hurt anyone and he is nice and he has kids and i don't think he was driving the truck

Posted by: C.J. Location: PMC on Oct 27, 2008 at 09:24 PM
I was the driver. I'm currently in the Pikeville Medical Center Physical Rehabilitation in room 1001. I appreciate all the kind words about my grandma and family, it helps. I've heard and read several things about Johnathon, and though I've never met him, I have faith that he didn't set out that friday night looking to kill someone. Unfortunately he did, and it happened to be someone very dear to my heart. I know that he has a family and I know what it's like to have that taken away, so I don't wish to destroy his, but something has to change. If there was any way to guarantee that he would never drive again while intoxicated without him going to prison for years, then that is the route that should be taken, but I know no other way. I just want him to know what he has done, and I want him to admit it, which he is reluctant to do. I feel like i'm being as forgiving as I can be, but he ran away, he hit my family and worried about no one but himself. Pente has yet to apologize.

Posted by: Nancy Location: Michigan on Oct 19, 2008 at 02:59 AM
He was the driver, He murdered my Aunt Sue, He severely injured 3 other family members who will never be the same again, He has destroyed my family. We will never see my Aunt smile again or hear her voice. She was such a loving woman and it is so hard to believe she is gone. No matter what happens, this jerk will never be able to undo what he has done. One would think he would have learned a leason about the effects of alcohol and/or drugs during one of the other 3 previous charges he has faced. He has no respect. He will pay, this I believe. Bad thing is he will never pay enough. What a COWARD

Posted by: To tomike on Oct 18, 2008 at 04:01 PM
I am sure that Pente did not want to kill someone, but he made a very bad decision when he got behind the wheel that night. I do feel soory for both families and I hope John John learns a big lesson from all of this. I hope he stays in jail long enough to get straight, but gets out soon enough to spend time with his young children before they are all grown up. I understand that Jonathan and Kenneth were friends, but no one in there right mind is going to plead guilty to MURDER if they were not behind the wheel. I believe that you need to be paying more attention to the facts then listening to the dope heads out there trying to blame Kenneth. I am sure if the police thought he was even in the vehicle that night, he would also be in trouble. To all families involved, may God be with you through these very trying difficult times.

Posted by: tomike on Oct 13, 2008 at 08:36 AM
To Mike, It is funny you should say that, because it has been reported to the KSP that Pente was NOT the driver of the truck at the time of the accident. That the owner kenneth holbrook was and ditched while Pente was knocked out on scene leaving him to take the wrap! If any knows any information about this or the other person being involved or was at the wreck right after and remembers seeing someone else exit the truck please make a call to the KSP. My heart goes out to both families while most of you are linch mobbing as mike put it you have failed to remember that not only did the elswick family lose a loved one but so did pente's family he was also someone's son, grandchild, father, brother, uncle. It is a sad situation for both sides. The elswick's who cry every night for the loved one they lost and the two small children who cry all day for daddy and may never see him again. My prayers are with both families who have suffered from this accident.

Posted by: Toanonymous on Oct 10, 2008 at 10:03 PM
Think about what you leave before you leave it? This guy needs to think about what he is doing for the next 20 years. He didnt mean to do it so that makes it better.

Posted by: MIKE on Oct 10, 2008 at 07:50 PM
HOW DO ALL YOU GODLY PEOPLE KNOW HE WAS EVEN DRIVING , WHAT IF THE DRIVER WHO OWNED THE CAR RAN RIGHT AFTER THE ACCIDENT. MAYBE JOHN WAS KNOCKED OUT WHILE THE REAL DRIVER RAN, YOU WERENT THERE, SOUNDS LIKE A LINCH MOB TO ME. IT WAS'NT JOHNS TRUCK!!IF HE DID DRIVE I HOPE HE PAYS, BUT ALL OF YOU DO NOT KNOW. GOD BLESS THE ELSWICK FAMILY.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: harold on Oct 9, 2008 at 08:29 PM
u know what?? how could he have left luckys bar when the bar has been closed down for about an month.. so u ppl need to get ur facts stright.... he wouldnt hurt anyone if he knew what he was doing.. i know this guy.. so next time think about what u leave before u leave it.. THANX!!!!!!

Posted by: Paul Prater Location: Prestonsburg,ky on Oct 9, 2008 at 09:44 AM
i've known sue my whole life,since i was a child,she was an inspiration to us all,and my prayer goes out to her family(mike prater(LDS member)

Posted by: Bethany Location: Cincinnati, OH on Oct 7, 2008 at 03:01 PM
Sue was such an amazing woman, I am proud to call her family. My prayers are with their family.

Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 6, 2008 at 07:04 PM
The mug shot which the news should confirm, is a old mug shot.

Posted by: Amy Location: Neighbors of the family*Pike* on Oct 6, 2008 at 05:50 PM
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family! Please give the man more than a slap on the wrist and a warning, LOCK HIM UP! RIP Sue-

Posted by: A Friend Location: Pikeville, Ky on Oct 6, 2008 at 02:12 PM
Sue was a wonderful lady. This man should pay for killing such a kind, compassionate, and lovely person!

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Pike County on Oct 6, 2008 at 12:52 PM
My thoughts...First, he fled the scene thinking only of the reprocussions he may face, not that there were individuals that he hurt in the other vehicle that needed help. Second, this photo looks like one taken at a booking desk...Look at the grin on this guy's face after he had just killed someone. It's obvious he did not care what happened to these fine people. I think it's safe to assume the worst from him and hope that he will get a punishment equal to what he has given.

Posted by: Sara Location: Highland Heights on Oct 6, 2008 at 12:11 PM
The fact that he is smiling in his mug shot makes me sick, such an insult to the family that he changed forever by killing their loved one. Of course, I am assuming that this mug shot was for this incident.

Posted by: Toler creek hotline Location: Duh on Oct 6, 2008 at 11:51 AM
whats it matter 27 or 37? Hope he get life then if he is 27 he gets 10 more years!! Dont ya love that smile of his in his Look at me big man Mug Shot?

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Harold on Oct 6, 2008 at 10:17 AM
I hate to break it to the harold resident but luckys is open the other one beside the new car lot is closed and luckys just opened up. Its a shame that this woman lived this long to have her life taken away by someone who was careless. God bless that family

Posted by: floyd on Oct 6, 2008 at 09:11 AM
Prison time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: anonymous Location: pike county on Oct 6, 2008 at 07:20 AM
yes there should be stiffer penalities for DUI and this includes people who are taking the same drugs as a prescription, they produce the same effects in the body

Posted by: harold resident Location: harold on Oct 5, 2008 at 11:57 PM
although, I hate the place to Todd, Lucky's bar in Betsy Layne is shut down. Your comment is completely false.

Posted by: kayla Location: tucker on Oct 5, 2008 at 11:18 PM
im sorry for the family and he gets what he deserves...i want the family to know they are in my thoughts and my prayers

Posted by: christie Location: pikeville on Oct 5, 2008 at 06:03 PM
the world never knew a sweeter woman. justice must be served for such a haneous act.

Posted by: Amy Location: Floyd County on Oct 5, 2008 at 03:07 PM
My prayers and thoughts are with the Elswick family for their loss. Also with the Boley family and the others injured.

Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 5, 2008 at 10:31 AM
he is 27 not 37

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Pikeville, KY on Oct 4, 2008 at 10:57 PM
We will truly miss Ms. Elswick's smile and kind words at the Pikeville Bob Evans.

Posted by: someone Location: Bevinsville on Oct 4, 2008 at 09:22 PM
I Am Sorry To Hear This. The Family Is In My Prayers And Thoughts. It Is Just A Shame That This Man Ran Lock Him Up And Throw Away The Key.

Posted by: Kevin Location: Pikeville on Oct 4, 2008 at 08:25 PM
If people like this would get INSTANT death penalty, this kind of stuff would stop. DUI needs to be more serious offenses and be dealt with accordingly.

Posted by: Bob Evans Location: Pikeville, KY on Oct 4, 2008 at 08:00 PM
Sue Elswick was Manager of Bob Evans Resturant in Pikeville Kentucky for a very long time. All of the employees of Bob Evans loved her. She was the kindest and most compassionate person that you could ever have meet. She was a very great woman, a Christian woman-Member of Church. We will all miss her so much. I hope the person that killed her has to go to prison for the rest of his life, and I also hope he has to think about what he done for the rest of his life. I believe Sue is in Heaven and I believe that Jonathan should suffer in pain for what he has caused her family, friends, ect. God Bless...

Posted by: Rachel Adkins Location: Harold, KY on Oct 4, 2008 at 06:42 PM
Mrs. Elswick was a very lovely lady and due to the actions of yet another drunk driver this is the outcome. There needs to be stiffer penalties for these individuals who choose to get behind the wheel while they are under the influence of alcohol or drugs. It's just such a shame that someone has to lose their life before these careless individuals are finally punished for their irresponsible decisions. What will it take for legislators to take notice of this nationwide problem and make these drunk drivers start paying for their mistakes the first time around. If there were harsher consequences for drunk drivers then you can guarantee that they would think twice before they drink and then drive. I too, was a victim of a drunk driver and I personally know how it can affect your life. He also got a slap on the wrist and this wasn't his first DUI. I wonder how long it will be until he is fleeing the scene? I knew Mrs. Elwick and my prayers go out to her family and friends.

Posted by: Al Location: Harold on Oct 4, 2008 at 06:23 PM
I think this man deserves life in prison without parole at the least for his actions and for total disregard for human life. He must have been drunk or using some sort of drug to make him flee the scene so give him what he deserves like a short rope and a tall tree.

Posted by: todd on Oct 4, 2008 at 04:08 PM
he had just left Lucky's bar at Betsy Layne...

Posted by: Anonymous Location: pikeville on Oct 4, 2008 at 03:07 PM
I worked with "Sue" Loretta... She was a wonderful co-worker and friend. I a truly sadden by this and i hope that man is brought to justice! The world has lost a great soul.

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