Nicholasville, Ky. – Molly Svoboda remains in critical condition at the University of Kentucky Hospital after she was struck by a vehicle driven by a Jessamine County Sheriff’s deputy on March 7, 2026.
Svoboda, 27, was spending the evening with her boyfriend Kenny Shomp at the Manchester Hotel in Lexington, where they watched the University of Kentucky’s basketball game against Florida. However, the evening took a tragic turn after Svoboda became ill. Instead of going out for dinner as planned, the couple decided to go home. At about 7:30 p.m., while turning onto Wind Haven Drive in Nicholasville, Swoboda insisted on being driven home after feeling ill, even though Shomp offered to drive her. He dropped her off in front of nearby businesses, believing she was feeling better.
However, Svoboda never reached home.
Nicholasville Police responded to a call shortly before 8:15 p.m. to check on a woman who needed assistance near Wind Haven Drive. As Jessamine County deputies responded, police say they drove to several office parking lots looking for Svoboda. The deputy, later identified in the collision report, struck Svoboda as she lay on the ground in the parking lot. According to officials, the deputy immediately called for help and performed first aid until emergency responders arrived.
Swoboda was transported to UK Hospital by Jessamine County EMS and remains in critical condition following the incident.
In the report of the collision, the deputy claimed that while driving east on Wind Haven Drive, he turned into a parking spot near 105 Wind Haven Drive and felt something hit his vehicle. Upon inspection, they found Svoboda lying on the ground. The deputy noted that due to the steep slope of the parking lot entrance, he was unable to see her before the collision occurred.
Shomp has questioned the deputy’s account of the incident, particularly why he did not observe Svoboda and the circumstances surrounding his injuries. According to Shomp, a doctor suggested that Svoboda’s injuries indicated that he may have been injured while standing, not lying down, which contradicts the deputy’s statement. Svoboda was reportedly killed near a road near a sidewalk.
The Nicholasville Police Department is investigating the incident as a serious injury collision. LEX 18 contacted the Jessamine County Sheriff’s Office for comment, but they referred inquiries to the Nicholasville Police Department.
The community continues to keep Svoboda and his family in their thoughts, hoping for his recovery as they await further details from the investigation.