Thursday morning at approximately 10:50, Kentucky State Police received a report of an eight-vehicle accident near the southbound 66 mile marker of I-65, in Hart County.
The collision involved five passenger and three commercial vehicles.
Police said the preliminary investigation revealed the collision occurred near a portion of I-65 where bridge repair was taking place, and the roadway merges from three lanes into one. Traffic was congested due to the repair work, with multiple vehicles slowing or stopped in the southbound travel lanes of the interstate, according to Kentucky State Police.
Authorities said a 2006 Kenworth semi-truck, being driven by 51-year-old Geoffrey London, of Leitchfield, approached the congested area in the right lane and failed to yield to stopped traffic in the lane closure, resulting in the Kenworth striking a 2010 Mitsubishi Galant, being driven by 33-year-old Casandra Easterly, of Lima, OH.
London’s semi continued traveling in the right lane, striking several other vehicles, which in turn caused a series of collisions. London’s vehicle came to rest against an embankment off the right southbound shoulder of the roadway.
Police said additional vehicles involved in the accident included a 2018 Nissan Altima, being driven by 40-year-old Brent Botts, of Prospect; a 2002 Peterbilt semi-truck, being driven by 58-year-old Richard Yoder, of Strasburg; a 2015 Jeep Wrangler, being driven by 47-year-old Dustan McCoy, of Bardstown; a 1997 Ford Ranger, being driven by 56-year-old Kay Oyler, of Marion, IN; a 2017 Freightliner commercial vehicle, being driven by 46-year-old Terry Miller, of Corbin; and a 2011 Dodge Ram, being driven by 62-year-old Robert Easterle, of Salem, OH.
Casandra Easterly was airlifted to University of Louisville Hospital for treatment of critical injuries. Two other passengers in her vehicle were transported to University of Louisville Hospital and are listed in stable condition, according to police.
Angelica Botts, a passenger in Brent Botts’ vehicle, and Kay Oyler were transported to TJ Sampson Community Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.
(Photos courtesy of Kentucky State Police via the Glasgow Daily Times)
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com or 270-259-6000
