Rockholds teenager on bicycle hit by SUV, flown out Friday afternoon

A 14-year-old Whitley County boy, who was riding a bicycle, had to be flown out by emergency medical helicopter Friday afternoon after being struck by a woman driving on a suspended license, according to police and court records.

This SUV struck a bicycle that a teenager was riding Friday afternoon.

The accident happened in the Rockholds area about 4 p.m. on Ky. 26 about 200 – 300 yards south of the northern most railroad crossing.

Whitley County Sheriff’s Deputy Joe Prewitt said that Latosha A. Cureton, 29, of Jellico, was driving a 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer north on Ky. 26, when she went off the side of the roadway on the passenger’s side of the vehicle.

Prewitt said that she overcorrected the vehicle locking up her brakes and crossing into the southbound lane striking the teenager on the bicycle.

Cureton’s vehicle then went off the left hand side of the road partially coming to rest in a ditch.

The teenager, whose name hasn’t been released by police, suffered multiple injuries to his legs and injuries to his head.

Whitley County EMS treated the boy at the scene.

Rockholds and Woodbine volunteer firefighters set up an emergency-landing zone on the football field at Whitley North Elementary School, where the boy was transported to by ambulance.

A THI emergency medical helicopter landed at the football field and flew the teenager to the University of Tennessee Medical Center for additional treatment.

A bystander wheels away a bicycle that had been ridden by a teenager, who was struck by an SUV Friday afternoon.

Prewitt said that Cureton told him she wasn’t speeding, but there were several feet of skid marks left on the roadway.

Driver inattention is a suspected contributing factor to the crash, Prewitt said.

Cureton was charged with driving on a DUI suspended license, no vehicle insurance and failure to produce a vehicle insurance card, according to her arrest citation.

According to her arrest citation, Cureton’s license was suspended for second-offense driving while under the influence.

She was also served with an arrest warrant Friday from Laurel County stemming from non-payment of fines for a traffic violation, Prewitt said.

Prewitt said that Cureton isn’t currently facing any additional charges related to the accident, but that he does plan to consult with Commonwealth’s Attorney Allen Trimble regarding the case.

No drug or alcohol involvement is suspected.

Prewitt said that Cureton passed field sobriety tests performed at the scene.

Whitley County Sheirff’s Deputy Johnny Miller also assisted at the scene. Rockholds Volunteer Fire Department also helped provide traffic control.

Cureton was arrested about 4:29 p.m. Friday and lodged in the Whitley County Detention Center.

She was released from custody about 2 p.m. Saturday, according to detention center records.