A 911 dispatcher in Kentucky who helped his trooper friend initiate a traffic stop that led to a 10-year-old boy's death, has been dismissed from the wrongful death lawsuit.
10-year-old Jake Luxemburger lost his life in September 2023 because a Kentucky State Trooper admitted he didn't want to be late for his friend's wedding. The trooper was fired from the Kentucky State Police in 2024 for his misconduct and illegal actions on that day.
The entire series of events that led to Jake's passing are as senseless as they are infuriating, that includes everyone involved. Now, a judges recent ruling has excused one of the participants in the reckless and unprofessional behavior that led to his death. This has left Jake's family wondering if they will ever see justice as they file an appeal on that ruling.
This heartbreaking saga began when Kentucky State Trooper, Zachary Napier, learned he was to be called to assist in a missing child investigation. Napier wanted to avoid that assignment at all costs as he feared it would make him late for a friend's wedding.
Zachary Napier immediately called his friend Johnathan Johnson, who works as a 911 dispatcher. Zachary and Johnson began brainstorming ideas to keep him from taking part in the serious missing child investigation. The two of them landed on finding someone to pull over quickly so he would be excused from the investigation.
Zachary was traveling on I-71 at the time and quickly began following Tymetrius Walter. Zachary stayed on Tymetrius's tail for 3 minutes, looking for any reason to initiate a stop, according to recorded evidence.
Finally, after seeing Tymetrius move "slightly back and forth between lanes while accelerating", he initiated a traffic stop.
Rather than just pulling over, Tymetrius attempted to flee, and a high-speed chase would ensue. It was discovered later that the car was stolen.
The chase ended at exit 14 off of I-71 when Tymetrius crashed into another vehicle. The accident would take the life of 10-year-old Jake Luxemburger and leave his grandmother seriously injured.
The parents of Jake, along with his grandmother, filed a wrongful death suit. The suit originally only named Trooper Zachary Napier and Tymetrius Walter as defendants. During the course of the lawsuit, they eventually added the 911 dispatcher, Johnathan Johnson, after learning his role in the days events.
The trooper called the 911 dispatcher from his personal phone to cook up this plan so he wouldn't be late for the wedding and he wouldn't have to assist in looking for a missing child. It is believed that he used his personal phone believing it would be harder to find his call in the call log. The call was found quickly, however.
Johnathan Johnson filed a motion to have himself dismissed from the case, and a judge ruled in his favor in February 2026.
On Monday, March 24th the Luxemburger family appealed that ruling.
This is such a sad case and displays seriously unprofessional actions that ultimately led to Jake's untimely death. We hope this family gets the justice they deserve.
Rest in peace, Jake
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