A late Friday afternoon accident in Whitley County claimed the life of a Lexington man.
There are currently no known contributing factors to the accident, and no charges have been filed, said Kentucky State Police (KSP) Post 11 Public Affairs Officer Scottie Pennington.
The three-vehicle crash happened about 4:45 p.m. on US25W North in Whitley County.
The initial investigation indicates that a red Chevrolet Sonic, which was operated by a juvenile, was traveling southbound when it crossed the center line and sideswiped a white Toyota Rav4, which was traveling northbound, according to a KSP release.
After the collision, the juvenile continued south in the northbound lane before crossing back into the southbound lane and leaving the roadway. Danny Burton, 68, of Lexington, was the driver of the Rav4. After the initial collision with the Sonic, his vehicle then crossed the center line and collided head-on with a white Chevrolet Tahoe, which was operated by Starlin Shephard, the release stated.
“We have video of her driving. She (the juvenile) just veered off the road. She just veered into a different lane of traffic and sideswiped this guy. Then he hit another vehicle,” Pennington explained.
Whitley County EMS transported the juvenile, Burton and Shephard to Baptist Health Corbin. The juvenile sustained minor injuries and was treated and released. Shephard was also treated for minor injuries and released.
Whitley Coroner Andy Croley pronounced Burton deceased at 5:50 p.m. Next of kin was notified.
Toxicology testing is being done on the drivers, which is standard procedure in fatal accidents. Technology usage on mobile devices at the time of the crash is also being examined, which is another standard procedure in fatal accident cases, Pennington said.
Trooper Canon Colder responded to the accident. KSP Detective Shane Bowling is conducting an accident reconstruction. Whitley County EMS and the Whitley County Coroner’s Office assisted at the scene.
