PRESTONSBURG, Ky – A Johnson County man has been sentenced to 13 years in prison for his role in the tragic deaths of two Prestonsburg High School students in 2023.
Marcus Logan Auxier, 23, of Paintsville, received the sentence on Thursday after being found guilty on two counts of vehicular manslaughter and first-degree assault. Auxier pled guilty to all charges in May, accepting responsibility for the fatal crash that took the lives of 16-year-old Kendra J. Moreno and 13-year-old McKenna Barnett.
During the sentencing hearing, Floyd Circuit Judge Johnny Ray Harris ruled that Auxier must serve 85 percent of his sentence before becoming eligible for parole. The judge emphasized the severity of the offense and the lasting impact on the victims’ families, the community, and the Prestonsburg High School student body.
The tragic incident occurred in July 2023, when Auxier, driving under the influence, crashed his vehicle on KY Route 680 in Branham’s Creek. The crash claimed the lives of the two young students, sending shockwaves through the local community and prompting renewed calls for safe driving and awareness of the dangers of impaired driving.
Family, friends, classmates, and community members continue to mourn the loss of Kendra Moreno and McKenna Barnett, whose lives were cut far too short. The sentencing of Auxier provides a measure of accountability, but the grief and sense of loss remain profound for those affected.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of driving under the influence. Authorities and community leaders continue to advocate for responsible behavior on the roads to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
If you want, I can also create a more narrative, human-focused version that highlights the lives of Kendra Moreno and McKenna Barnett, their impact on the community, and the emotional weight of the sentencing. This version would read more like a memorial piece intertwined with news coverage. Do you want me to do that?
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