East Bernstadt man dies Thursday following Sunday crash

A July 31 crash that occurred at the intersection of Highway 204 and US25 has claimed the life of one person.

Russell Mays Jr., 34, of East Bernstadt, died Thursday at the University of Tennessee Medical Center.

Mays was one of seven people injured during a two-vehicle crash that happened about 3:30 p.m. on US25 North near the intersection of Highway 204 West.

When Whitley County Sheriff’s Deputy Jonas Saunders arrived at the scene, he found a wrecked 2005 Honda Civic on US25, and an overturned 2016 Dodge Caravan that had come to rest off the roadway, according to a sheriff’s department release.

The Honda sedan was registered out of East Bernstadt and the van was registered out of Florida.

The driver of the Honda and two passengers had to be extricated by fire and rescue.

All three were transported by ambulance to the Williamsburg-Whitley County Airport where they were airlifted to the University Tennessee Medical Center for additional treatment, according to the sheriff’s department.

The van’s driver and three passengers were transported by Knox and Laurel County ambulances to Baptist Health Corbin for treatment.

Preliminary investigation indicates that the Honda Civic failed to stop before entering US25 and struck the van, the release stated.

Mays, a self-employed contractor, is survived by his parents, Russell Mays Sr. and Linda Mays of East Bernstadt, a son, Trenton Mays, a daughter, Victoria Mays and numerous other relatives.

As of Tuesday morning, Mays funeral arrangements were still incomplete at Walker Funeral Home in Hyden.