Investigators say prescription drug use may have been a factor in a fatal head-on collision on U.S 25 in Lily Thursday afternoon.
The driver of the Chevy Impala, 36-year-old Rodney Byrd of Manchester, was pronounced dead at the scene when his car cross the centerline just south of Chaney Lumber and smashed into the flatbed delivery truck driven by Jacob Burton of Eubanks.
The impact crushed the front of the Impala all the way up to the firewall with the nose of the truck resting inches from the car’s dashboard.
Kentucky State Police Division of Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Sgt. Greg Reams declined to give details but said Officer Jerry Jones, who is conducting the investigation, has reason to suspect the driver was using prescription drugs. Investigators are awaiting the results of blood tests from both Burton and Byrd to confirm or deny their suspicions
Burton, who was not injured, was traveling north with a partial load of pallets. He said there was nothing he could do to avoid hitting the car. He drives for B&C Industries out of Somerset and was on his way back there when the wreck occurred. Burton was able to get out of the truck by crawling out of the passenger side window.
Reams said there did not appear to be anything mechanical that would have forced the car to suddenly swerve to the left. Burton and Byrd were both wearing their seat belts.
The roadway was shut down for almost two hours as emergency personnel worked to clear the scene.
Lily Fire Department, London/Laurel County Rescue Squad, Ambulance Inc. of Laurel County and the Laurel County Coroner’s Office assisted at the scene.
