Alcohol use and excessive speed are considered strong factors that contributed to a late-night crash Saturday at the entrance to Tattersall Trails Estates subdivision near Corbin.
According to Whitley County Sheriff’s Deputy Ron Bowling, 45-year-old Roger E. Jones, of London, was driving too fast when he tried to turn off of Alsip Trail on to Riva Ridge. He lost control of his 2009 Toyota van, crossed the roadway and careened into a ditch. The van came to rest on its side.
"He probably came around that corner 30 to 35 mph which is just too fast right there," Bowling said. He is investigating the crash.
Bowling and Whitley County Sheriff Lawrence Hodge both responded to the scene. Members of the Oak Grove Volunteer Fire Department and the Woodbine Volunteer Fire Department extricated Jones from the vehicle.
Jones was transported to Baptist Regional Medical Center to be treated for his injuries. He was in and out of consciousness, police say, at the scene of the wreck.
"He was intoxicated," Bowling said. "He stated to me at one time that he had drunk a fifth of Jim Beam."
Bowling said there were unopened cases of beer in the vehicle as well.
Blood test results to determine if Jones was under the influence of alcohol or drugs are pending.
No criminal charges have yet been filed in the case.
