Salt truck crossed centerline of roadway before it hit, killed Williamsburg motorist, police say

A Williamsburg man died after colliding with this snow plow and salt truck on Ky. 92E last week.

A Williamsburg man died Thursday and two of his passengers were injured after their vehicle was hit by a Kentucky Transportation Cabinet salt truck on Ky. 92E.

The crash occurred about 11:30 a.m. about three miles east of the junction of Ky. 92E and US25W near the horseshoe curves.

Whitley County Coroner Andy Croley pronounced Billy R. Stevens, 59, dead at the scene.

Tommy Manes, 63, of Siler, was operating a 2012 Freightliner salt truck west on Ky. 92E when he crossed the center-line and struck a 2001 Oldsmobile Alero head-on, which was traveling eastbound and being operated by Stevens, according to a Kentucky State Police press release.
The state highway department vehicle had a scrapper blade on the front of it and what appeared to be a salt spreader on the back of it.

Stevens was not wearing a seatbelt. His two passengers Jesse E. Gabbard, 29, and Selena M. Moore, 28, both of Williamsburg, were transported to the Baptist Health Corbin hospital where they received treatment for their injuries.

Moore was treated and released. Gabbard was later transported to the University of Kentucky Medical Center for treatment of her injuries and has since been released from the hospital.

Manes was not injured during the collision.

Neither drug nor alcohol involvement are suspected factors in the collision, according to state police.

Kentucky State Police Trooper David Lassiter and Croley are continuing the investigation into the crash.

They were assisted at the scene by members of Whitley County EMS, Kentucky State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement, Williamsburg Fire and Rescue and members of the Patterson Creek Volunteer Fire Department.

Visitation for Stevens is scheduled for 5 p.m. Wednesday at Croley Funeral Home.

His funeral service is planned for Thursday, Jan. 28 at 1 p.m. at the Croley Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Billy Carpenter officiating.
Burial will follow in the Stanfill Addition of Pleasant View Cemetery.