Kentucky man allegedly crashed a FedEx truck into his ex-girlfriend’s home, then chased her into the street and stabbed her, police say

Lexington, Kentucky, is currently reeling after a man intentionally drove a FedEx truck into a home before fatally stabbing his ex-girlfriend. The suspect, 35-year-old Dario M. Williams, was arrested by the Lexington Police Department shortly after the attack occurred on the 3300 block of Valhalla Drive.

According to Law & Crime, officers responded to the residence at approximately 10:00 AM on a Thursday after receiving reports of a “commercial vehicle striking a residence.” Upon arrival, they discovered 34-year-old Candice Lynn Mackie “suffering from apparent stab wounds and the vehicle intruding into the residence.” Despite being transported to a local hospital, she was later pronounced dead. 

The aftermath of this event has shed light on a series of missed opportunities to protect the victim, who had been living with her uncle for several months leading up to the attack. WLEX reported that new court records show a domestic violence warrant had been issued for Williams weeks before the fatal attack, but it was never served. 

A growing pattern of violence

According to WLEX, during his virtual arraignment in Fayette District Court on Friday, a judge entered a not guilty plea on his behalf. The charges in play were murder with a domestic violence enhancement and first-degree burglary. WKYT reported that Williams is also facing charges related to an unrelated warrant, specifically fourth-degree domestic violence and second-degree criminal mischief.

The victim’s uncle, Emmit Murphy, told WKYT that Mackie had moved in with him, along with her five-year-old daughter, roughly three to four months before the incident. Murphy shared that police had been called to the home before due to Williams damaging property. “We had an officer came here once before because he damaged a mailbox. He [the officer] tried to get her to file a domestic dispute, but, you know, she didn’t wanna do it,” Murphy stated.

According to WLEX, however, it eventually came to light that she did eventually take her uncle’s advice. Murphy noted that Mackie had been proactive in seeking help. “I repeatedly told her to go down there, and she talked to several people,” Murphy said. “She had given them evidence and stuff where he had assaulted her.”

Murphy reportedly noted that Williams had come to the house after he went to work. Williams allegedly damaged the door too when attacking the mailbox. After he got into the house, he allegedly punched Mackie in the back while she was lying on a couch. This led to a judge signing a warrant for Williams’ arrest. However, the warrant remained unserved until after the fatal attack took place.

WLEX reported that, per the arrest citation, Williams intentionally drove the truck through the garage. When Mackie ran from him, he allegedly chased her into the street and stabbed her several times. In a separate case earlier this year, a How I Met Your Mother actor was sentenced to prison for the attempted murder of his girlfriend, who survived her stab wounds.

The outlet noted that Murphy believes Williams came by the house that day with an intention to kill her. He stated, “She had puncture to the heart, lungs, liver, and everything else… anytime you stab somebody five times, I’d say you probably are, and if you run through somebody’s house with a vehicle, I think it’s gone beyond the point of trying.” Earlier this year, a man was caught after he stabbed his ex-girlfriend when he walked to a fountain to wash his blood-covered hands. 

Murphy expressed his hope that others in similar situations can find the support they need. “It’s a cycle,” he said. “There’s a lot of victims out there. These guys are predators, and they make the victim feel like it’s their fault.” He told WLEX that despite the violence in their relationship, Mackie hadn’t wanted to completely cut ties with Williams since they had a daughter together. 

Mackie’s family is now left to mourn a woman who was described as a hardworking mother. “Oh, it’s … Candice just worked so hard,” Murphy reportedly said. “And she’s five years old,” he added, referring to the young daughter left behind. The local community has begun leaving flowers and candles outside the home, a somber reminder of a life lost under such violent circumstances. 

Per WLEX, Williams is being held in the Fayette County Detention Center, with a preliminary hearing scheduled for next week. Additionally, a spokesperson for FedEx told WKYT that Williams is no longer providing service on behalf of the company.