Photo courtesy of Metro Creative Connection
At a recent competency hearing, a court found that George Gallenstein III is not competent to stand trial.
Gallenstein was indicted in January 2024 on charges related to an accident that occurred in June 2023 that left one person dead and another injured.
According to Kentucky State Police Spokesperson Scott Ferrall, the accident occurred in the Dover area of Mason County.
Ferall stated that the vehicles collided on the roadway at the intersection of Kentucky 435 and Kentucky 3972.
He was indicted on one count of manslaughter in the second degree and one count of assault in the second degree.
According to the indictment, Gallenstein allegedly “wantonly caused the death of Brian Jett, and said death was the result of the wanton operation of a motor vehicle while he was under the influence of alcohol.”
It further alleged and stated that he, “wantonly caused serious physical injury to Sonia Phillips Jett by means of a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument.”
In March 2024, Gallenstein agreed with the Commonwealth of Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure to surrender his medical license.
It was alleged in the order that Gallenstein had a blood alcohol level of 0.194 during the accident in June 2023.
According to the agreed order of surrender from the Board of Medical Licensure, there are conclusions of law that serve as legal basis for the order of surrender including the licensee’s Kentucky medical license being subject to both regulation and discipline by the Board of Medical Licensure.
“Following the effective date of this agreed order, the licensee shall not engage in any act which would constitute the ‘practice of medicine or osteopathy’,” the agreed order stated.
The order further expressed that if Gallenstein wanted to petition for a reinstatement, “The burden shall be upon him to satisfy the board that he is presently of good moral character and is qualified both physically and mentally to resume the practice of medicine/osteopathy, without undue risk or danger to his patients or the public.”
According to the order, it was signed by Gallenstein on Feb. 21, 2024.
On March 14, 2025, a competency hearing was held where Gallenstein was present with his counsel.
A court order signed by a special judge presiding over this case stated that a report by the doctor who evaluated Gallentstein was accepted.
“Wherefore, it is ordered that defendant is not competent to stand trial and competency cannot be restored in the near future,” the court order stated.
