A former Wayne County Assistant Attorney has been indicted for murder in connection with the April death of a local woman.

A local grand jury returned the murder indictment against Roderick Tejeda, 42, on Tuesday, July 17. The charge stems from an April 19 collision that resulted in the death of Jerus Helen Neal, 54.

The accident occurred on Main Street near the intersection with Young Street. Neal was pulling from Young Street onto Main Street in a white 1994 Chevrolet Cavalier when she entered the path of Tejeda’s gray 2008 Toyota Camry. Officials said that Tejeda was traveling north on Main Street.

Tejeda’s vehicle struck Neal’s vehicle in the driver’s side door. She was transported to the Wayne County Hospital, where she was pronounced dead a short time later by Wayne County Coroner Forrest Hicks.

Tejeda was taken to the hospital for treatment of injuries he sustained in the crash. According to KSP Trooper First Class Don Trosper, Tejeda left the hospital for a period of time.

He was later located and returned to the Wayne County Hospital to be examined for possible head injuries and for a blood test that is required of drivers involved in a fatal crash.

Tejeda was released from the hospital later that day, according to Trosper.

Kentucky State Police Detective Parrish Baker, who is also a traffic crash reconstructionist, headed up the investigation and he was a witness during the grand jury proceedings.

Tejeda is no longer employed with the Wayne County Attorney’s Office.

Tejeda was arrested on Saturday, July 21. He was lodged in Wayne County Detention Center and bond was set at $250,000 cash only. No arraignment date had been set at press time.

Wayne Circuit Judge Vernon Miniard, Jr. filed an order on Wednesday, July 19, requesting a special judge for Tejeda’s case. Miniard has recused himself as judge on the case.

The document, which was filed in circuit court, also indicates that the case will be tried by a special prosecutor. It names Commonwealth’s Attorney Allen C. Trimble as the prosecuting attorney in the case.

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A local man has been indicted for murder in connection with the May shooting death of another Wayne County man. The grand jury returned a murder indictment against Jimmy D. Massengale on Tuesday, July 17.

Massengale was arrested and charged in connection with the May 27 shooting death of Roger Dean, 51. The incident occurred at a residence on Davis Street. Officials said that the two men were acquaintances.

The Monticello Police Department were called to the scene at approximately 8:48 p.m. on May 27. Monticello Police Chief Ralph Miniard stated that Dean was found dead from multiple gunshot wounds at the residence.

Massengale, 40, was arrested a short time later and lodged in Wayne County Detention Center.

The grand jury also indicted Massengale on three counts of wanton endangerment first degree and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

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A Wayne County woman died on Wednesday, July 18 in a two-vehicle crash that occurred in Pulaski County. Sharyan McKinney, 62, of Monticello, was pronounced dead at about 1:30 p.m. following the crash that occurred at the intersection of KY 914 and Pisgah Drive.

According to officials, the accident involved a 2012 Dodge pickup truck driven by Hailey Flynn, 19, of Somerset. Flynn collided with a 2007 Cadillac, which was driven by Dexter McKinney, 64, of Monticello. Sharyan McKinney was a passenger in the Cadillac.

Police said that Flynn struck McKinney’s vehicle while attempting to cross the westbound lanes on KY 914. The impact sent McKinney’s vehicle into the grass median between the lanes where it came to a rest.

Flynn’s vehicle came to a rest on the road, blocking an eastbound lane.

The roadway on KY 914 was blocked for over three hours while the scene was being investigated. The investigation is continuing with accident reconstructionists Sgt. Greg Martin and Detective Larry Patterson of the Somerset Police Department.

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Wayne County Judge/Executive Greg Rankin and Solid Waste Coordinator Tim Bell received excellent news earlier this month as Wayne County requested and received a grant from the Kentucky Division of Waste Management for $111,308.98 to extend the county’s recycling program.

The money will be used to purchase a transfer and sorting conveyor line, John Deere Skid Steer with accessories, three Pro-Mesh recycling trailers, six dock cart dumpers and an automatic industrial copper stripping machine, all of which will support the county’s growing recycling project.

“We have obtained just under a quarter of a million dollars the past three years from the state, which I think speaks volumes about the job Wayne County is doing in recycling. The program has been a huge success and these new and additional tools will allow for all citizens of Wayne County to recycle products easier, at no extra cost to the county. I’m proud of Tim Bell and his staff for their efforts and I’m also pleased with the response we’ve received from the people throughout the county,” Rankin said.

The grant was a joint effort of both the Solid Waste Coordinator’s office and Community Development office, which have officially been awarded a total of $247,600 the past three years.

“We know money is a concern statewide, so to be able to get everything we requested, it’s just great news for our recycling center. This is just one of several projects that we continue to be excited about the possibilities,” said Community Development Specialist Shannon Hutchinson.

The grant is just more good news for Bell, as the Solid Waste Coordinator’s office received over $30,000 earlier this year for continued work with roadside litter clean-up.

“We have made great improvements within our recycling program in just a few short years and all of this new equipment is much needed and will be put to good use. We continue to get lots of good comments about our recycling efforts. If we all work together we’ll make a difference and a change in our environment, which is our goal,” said Bell.