It was a quiet Monday night in Monroe County when everything changed in an instant. Right before 11:00 p.m., a sudden turn on Old Glasgow Road cut short a young life full of promise. The news spread quickly across town, leaving neighbors, classmates, and friends completely numb.
Lesly Chalchi-Gomez was only 18 years old. People who grew up around Tompkinsville knew her as someone who brought light into every room she walked into. She had big dreams, a warm smile, and a bright future ahead of her. Now, a community is left holding onto memories of a sweet girl who was taken way too soon.

The tragedy unfolded late Monday evening, July 20th, along a dark stretch of KY 63. Lesly was riding as a passenger in a 2000 Plymouth Neon heading north. It was the kind of late-night drive young folks in small towns take every day, but this one ended in total heartbreak.
For reasons state police are still working to figure out, the compact car suddenly ran off the right side of the asphalt. It hit an earth embankment with force and flipped upside down. The violent rollover left the vehicle severely damaged alongside the quiet country road.
Emergency crews rushed out to the scene as fast as they could. First responders from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, local Fire and EMS, and the county coroner all arrived to help. Sadly, there was nothing they could do for Lesly. The coroner pronounced her deceased right at the crash site.
The driver of the car, 18-year-old Garrett Tingle, survived the wreck. Emergency medical technicians pulled him from the overturned vehicle and rushed him to a nearby hospital for treatment. Officials noted his injuries were non-life-threatening, but the physical and emotional scars of that night will last a long time.
Right now, Senior Trooper Brandon Roark with Kentucky State Police Post 15 is heading up the investigation into what caused the crash. Meanwhile, the people of Tompkinsville are wrapping their arms around Lesly’s family. Prayers and messages of support are pouring in as everyone tries to find comfort in the kindness and joy she gave to the world during her 18 years.








