Man Charged with Murder from Deadly September Crash *UPDATE*

An arrest has been made in a fatal traffic collision that occurred on Highway 144 in September. On Friday, March 5th, DCSO Patrol Deputies arrested Charles Mattingly, age 34, of the 700 block of West 10th Street, Owensboro, following an indictment from the Daviess County Grand Jury earlier this week. DCSO deputies and the Commonwealth’s Attorney Office presented the case after receiving finalized lab results from the Kentucky State Police Forensic and NMS Laboratories that showed there was a presence of controlled substances in Mattingly’s blood at the time of the collision. 

“We have stayed on top of this case from the beginning. Our Accident Reconstruction Unit investigated the crash thoroughly and notified Commonwealth’s Attorney Mike Van Meter as soon as we received the required lab results. Mr. Van Meter then arranged for us to present it to Grand Jury as quickly as possible,” Sheriff Youngman said. “Lab analysis is a lengthy process, we must ensure we meet standards, but Patrol Division Commander Captain Harper has remained in contact with Mr. Prater’s family throughout the investigation to reassure them that we are seeking justice for the loss of their loved one. I am pleased we’ve made an arrest.” 

During the crash, Mattingly’s vehicle crossed the center line and struck Joseph Prater’s vehicle head on. Prater was on his way to work at the time of the collision and was pronounced dead at the scene. Mattingly has been charged with Wanton Murder and Driving Under the Influence. He was booked in to the Daviess County Detention Center. 
 
September 11, 2025 (Update 1) 
Daviess County, Kentucky: The person killed in this collision has been identified by the Daviess County Coroner’s Office as Joseph Prater of Reynolds Station, Kentucky. The driver of the other vehicle, Charles Mattingly, was severely injured in the collision and was flown to University of Louisville Hospital by Air Evac helicopter with multiple broken bones and internal injuries. Each driver was the sole occupant of their vehicle. The crash investigation is being conducted by the DCSO Accident Reconstruction Unit. 
 
1 Killed and 1 Injured in Hwy 144 Collision  
September 10, 2025 (Original) Daviess County, Kentucky: At approximately 5:30 am on Wednesday, September 10th, Owensboro - Daviess County Central Dispatch received a report of an injury vehicle collision in the 8500 block of Highway 144 near the intersection of Boteler Road in the Ensor community of Eastern Daviess County. Emergency crews from the Daviess County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) Patrol Division’s 3rd Platoon, the Daviess County Fire Department, Knottsville Fire Department, and AMR Ambulance Service responded to the scene. 

Initial investigation indicates that a westbound pickup truck was struck head-on by an eastbound SUV. The driver of the pickup truck was killed in the collision, and the driver of the SUV was transported to University of Louisville Hospital by Air Evac medical helicopter with critical injuries. There were no other people involved in the collision. 

The Daviess County Coroner’s Office responded to conduct a death investigation. The collision investigation is being conducted by the DCSO Accident Reconstruction Unit. The roadway was closed during the response and investigation, and a detour was established by KCTC at Pleasant Valley Road and Boteler Road. The roadway re-opened at approximately 8:00 am.