Sunday night at approximately 7:45, the Clarkson Police Department and Clarkson and Leitchfield Fire Departments responded to a two-vehicle accident near the 112 mile marker of the Western Kentucky Parkway, about a half-mile east of the Clarkson exit.
Upon Clarkson Police Chief Buck Meredith arriving on the scene, he found that a Ford Focus, being driven by 18-year-old Lesley Mackey, of Owensboro, was traveling east on the parkway when Mackey said he fell asleep at the wheel. The Ford then rear-ended a 2.5-ton Army transport vehicle, which was traveling in a caravan with several other Army vehicles. After striking the vehicle, the Focus traveled about 150 feet in the roadway before bursting into flames. The Ford was thoroughly burned from the engine compartment to the back seat area.
Several Army personnel rushed to aid Mackey, but he was able to quickly escape the vehicle before being burned. He did, though, suffer several serious lacerations and a possible broken leg, according to Meredith.
Mackey was transported to Twin Lakes Regional Medical Center by EMS. The driver of the Army vehicle, 21-year-old James Thacker, of Sidney (in Pike County), was uninjured. The Army vehicle suffered only minor damage.
The eastbound parkway lanes were shut down for approximately 45 minutes as first responders worked the scene.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com or 270-259-6000
