Four people killed in I-75 crash near Williamsburg

A tragic crash along I-75 near Williamsburg Sunday evening has claimed the lives of four people, and has left a fifth person hanging on for her life at a Tennessee hospital.
Crystal Lynn Woodin, 24, of Ringold, Ga., remained in critical condition at the University of Tennessee Medical Center Tuesday afternoon after her SUV collided with a semi about 8 p.m. Sunday.
Woodin was southbound on I-75 near the 13 mile marker when she lost control of her 2001 Isuzi Rodeo on the wet pavement about 8:15 p.m., according to a Kentucky State Police press release.
The vehicle crossed the median, entered the northbound lane, and was struck by a tractor trailer driven by Alejandro Reyes Emamorado of Lanoir, N.C.
The impact of the crash ejected the three children several feet. At least one body was recovered along an embankment beside the interstate.
Whitley County Coroner Andy Croley pronounced the children, Brandon Dwayne Jackson, 6, Christopher Shane Jackson, 4, and Logan Riley Ballew, six-weeks-old, dead at the scene about 8:25 p.m. All three died instantly.
The accident immediately shut down the northbound lane of traffic, which remained closed until about 2:30 a.m. Police shut down the southbound lane shortly before 9 p.m. in order to land two helicopters. One flew Woodin to Knoxville.
A fourth passenger in Woodin’s vehicle, Richard D. Ballew, 27, was flown from the scene to the University of Kentucky Medical Center where he died at 2:10 p.m. Monday, according to a state police press release.
Richard Ballew was the father of Logan Riley Ballew.
Kentucky State Police Trooper John Root, public affairs officer at the London post, described Richard Ballew’s and Woodin’s relationship as “boyfriend-girlfriend.”
Officials say they aren’t sure where the family was coming from, or where they were heading.
The southbound lane partially re-opened about 10:30 p.m.
Root said that everyone in the Rodeo appeared to have been wearing their seatbelt but Richard Ballew.
Root said that it’s hard to tell whether seatbelt use would have made a difference given the severity of the crash. The Woodin vehicle was completely destroyed in the crash, and the semi was severely damaged.
No drug or alcohol involvement is suspected.
Root said there were no apparent contributing factors besides the weather.
Emamorado was treated and released at Baptist Regional Medical Center in Corbin.
KSP Accident Reconstructionist Don Trosper and Croley are investigating the accident. He was assisted at the scene by Trooper David Lassiter, members of the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, Kentucky Motor Vehicle Enforcement, Three-Point Volunteer Fire Department, Woodbine Volunteer Fire Department, the Williamsburg Rescue Squad, and the Whitley County Coroner’s Office.