In the quest for justice and transparency following the tragic and wrongful death of Luke Hinkel, we have faced continuous hurdles due to the lack of oversight and accountability with the Kentucky Board of EMS (KBEMS).   Despite a jury trial in 2022 that ended in a mistrial, this civil case remains entangled in legal battles at the Kentucky Supreme Court.  The defendants have persistently sought case dismissal, citing immunity, while my family continues to seek justice for the gross negligence and also seeks to change policies that will improve the handling of complaints by the Kentucky Board of EMS.  

The case was scheduled to be heard for oral argument with the Kentucky Supreme Court of Appeals on December 10, 2025; however, proceedings were tragically postponed following the death of Paramedic Stone on November 28, 2025. To date, no new court date has been set, further delaying resolution and accountability.

On the night of Luke's heart attack, protocols and procedures were not followed.   The ambulance service knew that the cardiac equipment on board was faulty and was "hit or miss."  It failed to work on Luke, resulting in his untimely death.   The family discovered through an open records request that a whistleblower complaint was filed revealing that the agency was still operating "haphazardly" with faulty equipment one year after his death and the equipment had failed on another patient in the community. 

The family filed formal complaints with the KBEMS against the individuals and Henry County Fiscal Court (agency) to address the many protocols and procedures that were not followed on the night of Luke's death, including the fact that both parties knew they were operating ambulances with faulty lifesaving cardiac care equipment.   The complaints were dismissed and the family was never provided a written notice of the findings nor were they notified of their right to file an appeal according to KRS. 311A.055. 

The family filed a criminal complaint with the Kentucky State Police (KSP) after KBEMS failed to take meaningful action in response to documented concerns and trial evidence.  KSP investigation records reveal that the former Director of Henry County EMS admitted lying to the KBEMS investigator during the whistleblower investigation and used the words "lax" and "complacent" to describe the agency work environment at the time of the incident.  

The Kentucky Board of EMS failed to act in the face of clear evidence, denying accountability, violating civil rights, and endangering the community it is charged with protecting and the special prosecutor from Boone County, Ky. took no action - again, silencing the facts and denying the family due process. 

To prevent such tragedies and ensure accountability, it's imperative to demand rigorous measures with the Kentucky Board of Emergency Management Services. We must mandate that all hearings regarding EMS complaints be audio and video recorded, preserving them as public records. Transparency in their decision-making processes will build public trust and provide clear evidence in potential appeals.

Moreover, parties involved in EMS complaints deserve to receive official written notifications of final decisions that include comprehensive information about their rights to file an appeal, ensuring that no one is left uninformed in the pursuit of justice.   

Furthermore, it is crucial to begin discussions about requiring body-worn cameras for EMS personnel. These cameras will serve not only as a tool for accountability but also as protection for both the EMS providers and the public. Body cameras provide an unbiased account of events, safeguarding against misunderstandings and false claims and can be used to improve training.  The testimony and depositions related to the night of Luke’s death vary, leaving no definitive record of the events that took place inside the ambulance.  The use of body-worn cameras would have captured the truth and explained why the delayed arrival to the hospital.  

According to the National Institute of Justice, body-worn cameras have already shown notable effectiveness in other states by reducing false accusations.  Implementing similar measures for EMS in Kentucky will be a proactive step towards achieving true accountability and transparency.

This petition is a vital call to action to rectify systemic issues within Kentucky's EMS framework. By supporting these measures, we can help prevent another family from suffering due to lack of accountability and transparency.  We urge you to sign this petition to make these necessary changes a reality and honor the memory of those, like Luke, who have been impacted by these failures.

The Louisville Courier Journal published a detailed article about this tragic incident Read the Courier Journal article 

Please lend your signature to this cause and advocate for a more transparent and accountable emergency response system in Kentucky.