Rockholds man killed in fatal crash will be laid to rest today (Wednesday)

A Thursday afternoon crash claimed the life of a Rockholds man.

Doug Smith

Shortly after 3 p.m., Whitley County Coroner Andy Croley pronounced Jasper Douglas “Doug” Smith, 60, dead at the scene.

The single vehicle crash happened sometime after 2:30 p.m. on KY92E near the Bell County line.

Smith’s white pick-up truck was heading towards Williamsburg when it left the roadway, hit a tree and then overturned. He died instantly, Croley said.

Members of the Patterson Creek Volunteer Fire Department and Bell County Rescue Squad extricated Smith’s body from the vehicle.

Smith, who was wearing his seatbelt, was the only occupant in the vehicle.

There were no witnesses to the accident, and authorities aren’t sure what caused Smith to leave the roadway, Croley said.

No drug or alcohol involvement is suspected.

Croley and Whitley County Sheriff’s Major Tony Dingess are investigating the case.

Visitation will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday until the funeral hour at Croley Funeral Home in Williamsburg. The funeral will be held at 1 p.m. in the Croley Funeral Home Chapel with Dale Ditto officiating.

He will be laid to rest in the Croley Addition of Highland Park Cemetery following military graveside honors by American Legion Post 88.

Smith was the brother of 86^th District State Representative Tom O’Dell Smith.

“I lost my Brother Doug in a car wreck today,” Smith wrote on Facebook Thursday. “Please pray for Lisa his wife and kids and grandkids. Pray for my family as tragedy is hard to understand. Doug was a true Patriot. He loved his Country, God and Family. I wanted to post so I could say thank you for all your messages and keep my family in your prayers.”