Richmond woman involved in crash on I-75 allegedly intoxicated

A Richmond woman was arrested Tuesday in southern Laurel County after she rear-ended a vehicle, crashed into a guardrail and her car became inflamed. Though this was a non-injury collision, the southbound lanes of interstate 75 were closed over one hour as a result.

Jessica Pryor, 36, of Southern Hills Drive in Richmond was allegedly driving a silver colored Audi A3 when she hit a 200 Chrysler 200 from behind around 11:10 p.m. approximately seven miles south of London. Pryor’s vehicle then struck the guardrail and caught fire. However, she refused to exit the car even after it became inflamed.

According to a release made by the Laurel County Sheriff’s Department, Pryor had to be pulled from the car. Sergeant Larry Parrott along with Deputy Shawn Jackson were the responding officers and noted that the subject was very unbalanced, had slurred speech and red bloodshot eyes that were non-reactive to light.

Deputies conducted an investigation, ultimately determining Pryor to be under the influence. She admitted to taking methadone earlier.

“This subject passed out several times while in custody of deputies because she was so intoxicated,” said the release.

Jessica Pryor was charged with operating a motor-vehicle under the influence, careless driving, failure of owner to maintain required insurance, along with other traffic violations. She was lodged in the Laurel County Detention Center.

West Knox Volunteer Fire Department assisted at the scene by extinguishing the fire.