Lake Area Man Arrested After Alleged Dispute Ends With Truck Tearing Through Garage

Richard Crawford, (58), of Leitchfield

Darren Doyle, story:
A Nolin Lake-area man is facing felony and misdemeanor charges after deputies say an argument over a dryer payment ended with his truck ripping through the side of a garage and leaving the scene.

Richard Crawford, (58), of Leitchfield, was arrested Saturday, August 29, 2026, at 3:41 p.m. at his residence, according to an Edmonson County Sheriff’s Office uniform citation. 

According to the sheriff's office, the incident began six days earlier. On August 23rd at about 4:08 p.m., the sheriff's office was dispatched to 101 Helencia Road on a complaint call of property damage.

According to the citation, two witnesses told the deputy that they had been arguing by text with Crawford over a dryer he had been paying on but he had since stopped payments. The citation stated that shortly after that exchange, the witnesses claimed Crawford arrived at the residence, yelling and cursing at them from his truck.

The citation stated Crawford then backed into the driveway, got out, and began to pull a knife on one of the witnesses and when he was told police were going to be called, he got back in the truck, floored it in reverse, and tore out the side of the garage, the witnesses reported. The witnesses said he became stuck for a short time before freeing the vehicle and leaving the scene. They also told the deputy that Crawford smelled and appeared to have been drinking heavily, the citation stated.

The sheriff's office documented the damage to the garage, according to the citations.

An Edmonson County deputy and two Grayson County units then went to Crawford’s address in an effort to find him but Crawford’s wife told deputies she had not seen him all day and that he had been drinking that day but did not know where he was, the citation stated.

A complaint warrant was later issued and Crawford was taken into custody on August 29th. 

Crawford was charged with First-degree criminal mischief, which is a Class D felony when property damage is $500 or more, and Leaving the scene of an accident and failing to render aid.

He was released on a recognizance bond, according to the Hart County Jail.