Families sue over Glasgow crash that killed 3 teens
Separate lawsuits allege underage alcohol sales contributed to the October 2025 crash. Defendants have responded, but no hearings have been set.
GLASGOW, Ky. — The families of three teenagers killed in an October 2025 crash have filed separate lawsuits against the driver and a Glasgow liquor store, alleging alcohol sold to people under 21 contributed to the crash.
The lawsuits were filed in Barren Circuit Court by the estates of Emily Corbin, William “Toxie” Moore and Charley Fancher. Each names Asa Howard and Ram Leela, Inc., which operates South Green Liquors, as defendants.
The first lawsuit was filed July 6. A second followed July 14, and the third was filed Sept. 4.
No hearings have been set in any of the lawsuits.
The crash
The crash happened Oct. 17, 2025, at the intersection of North Jackson Highway and Veterans Outer Loop near River Lake Church.
According to the lawsuits, Howard was 18 and driving a vehicle carrying five passengers. The complaints say he had purchased alcohol from South Green Liquors earlier that night and later drove while intoxicated.
The lawsuits say Howard was traveling north on North Jackson Highway when he entered the intersection against a red light. Timothy Houchens was traveling on Veterans Outer Loop with a green light, according to the complaints.
Brennan Crain
The vehicles collided at a high rate of speed.
Corbin, 18; Moore, 17; and Fancher, 14, were killed. Several others were injured.
The lawsuits say Howard’s blood alcohol level was measured at 0.129 about two hours after the crash.
Howard faces criminal charges including murder, assault and wanton endangerment. The criminal case is separate from the civil lawsuits.
What the lawsuits say
The three lawsuits make similar allegations about what happened before the crash.
The complaints say Howard went to South Green Liquors twice that night with two other people who were under 21. The group looked for alcohol, and the other two people helped select and carry drinks to the checkout, according to the lawsuits.
Howard allegedly bought a “significant amount” of alcohol during both visits.
The complaints say a store employee checked Howard’s identification during the first visit but not the second. They also say the employee did not ask the other two people for identification.
The lawsuits allege Howard later gave alcohol to other people under 21 and drank a significant amount himself before driving.
The estates argue South Green Liquors should not have sold alcohol to Howard or the other underage people and that the sales contributed to Howard becoming intoxicated and the crash.
The Corbin and Moore lawsuits also allege the store violated Kentucky law and Glasgow rules governing alcohol sales. The Fancher lawsuit makes similar allegations and also says the store did not meet required employee training rules.
The lawsuits seek damages including medical and funeral expenses, pain and suffering and lost future earnings. They also seek punitive damages.
How the defendants responded
Howard responded to the Corbin lawsuit July 21, the Moore lawsuit Aug. 3 and the Fancher lawsuit Sept. 15.
In each case, he invoked his right against self-incrimination under the U.S. and Kentucky constitutions rather than responding to the individual allegations.
His attorney, Paul T. Lawless of Bell, Orr, Ayers & Moore, P.S.C., cited a 1985 federal appeals court case supporting the use of the privilege as a substitute for an answer. Howard has asked the court to dismiss the lawsuits and award attorney’s fees and costs.
Ram Leela filed responses Aug. 4 in the Corbin and Moore cases and Sept. 22 in the Fancher case.
The company admitted some allegations, denied others and said it did not have enough information to respond to many of the remaining claims.
Ram Leela also said Glasgow police took the store’s video shortly after the crash and that the company does not have the footage.
The company argues the lawsuits do not state valid claims against it. It also argues that any damages were caused by other people or events for which it was not responsible.
Attorney Gary S. Logsdon represents Ram Leela in all three cases.
The Corbin case
Ronnie Corbin, as administrator of Emily Corbin’s estate, filed the first lawsuit July 6. He is represented by attorney Matt McGill of Lowder & McGill PLLC.
The Moore case
William Moore Jr. and Betsy Moore, administrators of William “Toxie” Moore’s estate, filed the second lawsuit July 14. They also are plaintiffs individually and are represented by attorney Steven R. Romines of Romines Weis Young PSC.
The lawsuit also names Kentucky Farm Bureau as Moore’s underinsured motorist carrier. Underinsured motorist coverage can provide benefits when the insurance available from an at-fault driver is not enough to cover a victim’s damages, depending on the policy.
Kentucky Farm Bureau responded July 17. The insurer said it issued an automobile insurance policy to Billy Moore but that any coverage depends on the policy’s terms and conditions.
The company also said any underinsured motorist benefits would depend on a court finding that Howard was underinsured and would be subject to the policy and any finding of fault.
Kentucky Farm Bureau asked the court to dismiss the claims against it and declare that its policy does not apply to the lawsuit.
Attorney Eric A. Hamilton of Lochmiller Bond represents the insurer.
The Fancher case
Makayla Bohr, formerly Makayla Fancher, filed the third lawsuit Sept. 4 as administrator of Charley Fancher’s estate.
Tiffany Fancher and Jamie Fancher also are plaintiffs individually.
The lawsuit seeks damages for the estate and Charley’s parents, including medical and funeral expenses, pain and suffering, lost future earnings and loss of affection and companionship. It also seeks punitive damages.
The Fancher plaintiffs are represented by attorney Benjamin D. Crocker of Crocker Law Firm in Bowling Green.
What happens next
All three lawsuits remain pending in Barren Circuit Court, and no hearings have been set. The civil cases are separate from the criminal case against Howard.
The allegations in the lawsuits have not been decided by a court.
Howard is scheduled to appear in court again Dec. 7. A trial in the criminal case is scheduled for March 2027.
