Man Killed in Louisville Cemetery Hit-and-Run Identified; Two Arrested

Louisville Metro Police identified the man killed in a hit-and-run at Bethany Cemetery as Carl “Mikey” Michael Kinley, 45. Officers found Kinley deceased beneath a large cardboard box with tire marks on Tuesday, September 16, 2026, around 12:30 p.m.

Brad Brinkley, 40, faces charges including reckless homicide for allegedly driving his truck over Kinley. Court documents state Brinkley told police he felt a bump after driving over the box but did not stop. He reported driving over the area a second time and then noticed a hand protruding from the box.

Kinley’s brother, Charles Barbe, expressed grief and confusion. "I got a million questions, a million questions," Barbe said. "Everybody loved him. The dude would take the shirt off his back for anybody." Barbe questioned why his brother was in a box.

Kinley, who struggled with drugs, lived nearby and rented a room, according to his brother. Police said Kinley entered the cemetery on his own and was believed to be alive under the box when he was struck. The medical examiner determined Kinley died of blunt force trauma. The case moved from the homicide to the traffic unit.

Also arrested is Thomas Litsey, 60, a cemetery groundskeeper. An arrest report states Brinkley informed Litsey of the incident. Police allege Litsey attempted to conceal Brinkley’s involvement by omitting his role when he initially told police he found the body.

Brinkley’s bond was set at $250,000, and Litsey’s at $50,000. Both are scheduled to appear in court later this month.