Corbin man killed in Sunday crash in Laurel County

A Corbin man was one of two people killed in a two-vehicle crash Sunday night in Laurel County.

Laurel County Sheriff’s Deputy Gilbert Acciardo, the department’s public affairs officer, identified the victims as 57-year-old Richard Allen Thomas and 27-year-old Kevin Michael Sparkman, Jr. of Hazard.

Both were pronounced dead at the scene of the wreck on Ky. 30 approximately two miles north of London.

Acciardo said the wreck occurred just after 9 p.m.

Laurel County Sheriff’s Detective/Accident Reconstructionist Chris Edwards was called to the scene to investigate.

According to Acciardo, Edwards determined that Thomas was traveling north in a Chevrolet Blazer SUV in the southbound lane when he struck Sparkman’s Toyota Camry.

“Witnesses had him on the other side of the road for some time,” Acciardo said of Thomas explaining while Ky. 30 is a divided highway at the intersection with Hal Rogers Pkwy., it merges into 200 lanes about 200 yards north of the intersection.

The SUV overturned coming to rest on the roadway, while the car was shoved onto the shoulder.

A passenger in the Camry, identified as 20-year-old Kelsey Shaw of Hazard, was airlifted to the University of Kentucky Medical Center.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

Acciardo said deputies found nothing in either vehicle to indicate drugs or alcohol may have been a factor in the crash.

A blood sample was taken from both drivers and has been sent to the Kentucky State Police Crime Lab in Frankfort to be checked for the presence of intoxicants.

“That is standard procedure in a fatal crash,” Acciardo said.

Acciardo said he expects it to take six to eight weeks to receive the results.

Ky. 30 was shut down for several hours as emergency personnel worked to clear the scene.

Detective Edwards is continuing the investigation.

Assisting at the scene for the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office was: Deputy Travis Napier, Deputy Larry Parrott, Deputy Charlie Johnson, Deputy Taylor McDaniel, Deputy Gary Mehler, Deputy Shannon Jones, and Deputy Gilbert Acciardo. Also assisting was: Constable Chris Webb, East Bernstadt Volunteer Fire Department, London Laurel Rescue Squad, Ambulance Inc. of Laurel County, Laurel County Volunteer Fire Department, Laurel County Public Safety, Laurel County Emergency Management, Laurel County Coroner’s Office, PHI helicopter, and Kentucky Highway Department.