Rockholds man dies in single-vehicle crash Sunday

A Rocholds man died in a single-vehicle accident in the Cripple Creek community of Whitley County Sunday, and authorities think “distracted driving” may have been the cause.

Darrell Taylor, 35, was pronounced dead at Baptist Regional Medical Center in Corbin by Whitley County Coroner Andy Croley following the accident. Taylor was taken to the hospital for internal injuries he suffered in the crash.

According to Whitley County Sheriff’s Deputy Ron Bowling, who investigated the accident, Taylor was traveling east on Hwy. 836 when it appears he went over the right shoulder of the roadway, and in an attempt to get back on the road he overcorrected, crossed to the opposite side and slammed into a tree in the right-of-way.

The car, a black 1989 Toyota Celica, hit the tree between the driver’s side door and front fender.

“It caused the driver’s door to collapse into the driver’s compartment,” Bowling said. “The roof supports collapsed in top of him as well.”

Taylor was freed from the wreckage by non-mechanical means by members of the Three Point Volunteer Fire Department and Whitley County EMS workers. Bowling said he was conscious for a short time after the accident.

“He able to speak to me,” Bowling said. “I asked him his name and asked for his driver’s license. He gave me his wallet and said his name was Darrell and then he blacked out.”

Taylor was stabilized at the scene and transported to BRMC by Whitley EMS. He was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident.

Police do not believe drugs or alcohol were factors in the crash. Bowling said an autopsy will be conducted.

Authorities speculate that Taylor could have been distracted by the two working cell phones found in the front passenger seat of his vehicle.

“They were pretty active after the accident,” Bowling said. “There were quite a few people calling him. It was just an unfortunate accident.”