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STAFF REPORT
Glasgow News 1
The family of a Hart County teenager killed in a 2025 crash in Glasgow has filed a wrongful death lawsuit, alleging illegal alcohol sales and drunk driving contributed to the wreck.
According to the complaint, filed July 6 in Barren County, Ronnie Corbin is suing on behalf of the estate of his daughter, Emily Corbin, who was one of three people killed in an October 2025 collision at the intersection of North Jackson Highway and Veterans Outer Loop.
Driver, liquor store named as defendants
The lawsuit names two defendants: Asa Howard, the alleged driver of the vehicle Emily Corbin was riding in, and Jay Patel, owner of Ram Leela, Inc., doing business as South Green Liquors in Glasgow.
Howard is already facing criminal charges of murder, assault and wanton endangerment in connection with the crash, and his case remains pending in Barren Circuit Court, where he is represented by attorney Ken Garrett. Howard had a trial date set Monday for March 16, 2027.
Allegations of underage alcohol sales
The complaint alleges that on Oct. 17, 2025, the night of the crash, Howard was 18 years old and purchased alcohol from South Green Liquors.
According to the filing, Howard made two trips to the store that day with two other underage males, and each time the three entered together, selected alcoholic beverages and took them to the counter where Howard bought what the lawsuit describes as a significant amount of alcohol.
The lawsuit states a store employee checked Howard’s identification during the first visit but did not ask for ID on the second visit, and did not request identification from the other two males on either trip.
Claims of drinking and reckless driving
The lawsuit alleges Howard provided alcohol to Emily Corbin and other underage passengers while drinking a significant quantity of it himself.
Afterward, Howard allegedly drove Corbin’s car with five passengers inside, including four under 21: 17-year-old William Moore, 14-year-old Charley Fancher, 21-year-old Jabari Sweat, Caden French and 18-year-old Emily Corbin.
The complaint states Howard was driving recklessly and far above the posted speed limit as he traveled north on North Jackson Highway toward Veterans Outer Loop.
Crash details and blood alcohol findings
According to the lawsuit, the traffic light was red for Howard and green for traffic on Veterans Outer Loop when the collision happened.
The filing states that driver Timothy Houchens was traveling through the intersection with a green light when the car Howard was driving allegedly entered the intersection and struck Houchens’ vehicle at a high rate of speed.
Court documents state a blood sample taken about two hours after the crash showed Howard’s blood alcohol concentration was 0.129, more than six times Kentucky’s legal limit of 0.02 for drivers under 21.
Negligence claims and damages sought
The lawsuit argues that South Green Liquors was negligent for selling alcohol to Howard while he was under 21, in violation of Kentucky law.
It also alleges the store violated a Glasgow ordinance requiring employees who sell alcohol to complete S.T.A.R. training, which covers state alcohol laws and responsible retail practices.
The filing further claims Howard was negligent by driving under the influence, leading to the fatal crash that killed Corbin, Moore and Fancher.
The estate is seeking damages for Corbin’s pain and suffering before her death, loss of future earning capacity, medical and funeral expenses and punitive damages, and is asking for a jury trial.
Attorney Matt McGill of Lowder & McGill in Bowling Green filed the lawsuit, and as of Monday, the complaint says no response had been filed by either Howard or the liquor store and no court date had been set.
Key Facts
– Estate of Hart County teen Emily Corbin files wrongful death lawsuit in Barren County
– Suit names accused driver Asa Howard and South Green Liquors owner Jay Patel as defendants
– Crash happened in October 2025 at North Jackson Highway and Veterans Outer Loop in Glasgow
– Lawsuit alleges Howard, then 18, twice bought alcohol at Glasgow liquor store before crash
– Complaint says store failed to properly check identification of Howard and other underage males
– Three teens, including Corbin, William Moore and Charley Fancher, were killed in the collision
– Lawsuit cites blood test showing Howard’s BAC at 0.129 about two hours after the crash
– Estate seeks damages for pain and suffering, expenses, lost earnings and punitive damages
– Howard’s criminal case on murder, assault and wanton endangerment charges remains pending
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