While the investigation and proceedings remain ongoing in the manslaughter case against Jaden Johnson, he entered a guilty plea on unrelated, lesser charges Wednesday in Christian Circuit Court.
Appearing before Judge John Atkins, Johnson entered guilty pleas for fourth-degree assault and two counts of theft by unlawful taking of a firearm—those come with a recommend sentence of two years, to run concurrently with any prior felony convictions. Those charges stem from an incident where he reportedly stole two guns from his grandfather’s residence and assaulted him when he was confronted for stealing in February.
Johnson is facing a second-degree manslaughter charge in connection with a fatal crash on Bill Bryan Boulevard in 2023 that resulted in the death of Adrian Tucker. Three individuals in the other vehicle were also injured, with one male victim flown to Vanderbilt University Medical Center with severe injuries. The other two were taken to Jennie Stuart Medical Center for treatment.
The Hopkinsville Police Department reported that Johnson had been operating the vehicle at speeds of around 90 miles per hour in a 35 miles per hour speed zone. Tucker had to be extricated from his vehicle and was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Attorneys informed the court that they are in the process of hiring an accident investigator in the case. Proceedings on the manslaughter case were continued to November 17.